More than 400 people were reportedly killed after a Pakistani airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul on Monday evening, prompting concern from the United Nations, the European Union and international aid organisations.
The strike hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a facility treating people with substance use disorders, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Pakistan, however, rejected claims it struck a hospital, saying it had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.”
UNAMA said the strike struck a medical facility treating drug-dependent patients, adding that “civilians continue to pay the price for the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan”.
It expressed condolences to the victims’ families and stressed that “under international law, all parties to a conflict must respect and protect the sick and wounded, medical personnel, hospitals and ambulances”.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for accountability, saying the incident “must be investigated promptly, independently and transparently,” and that “victims and their families are entitled to reparations.”
A spokesperson added that “the laws of war clearly set out that any attack must comply with the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.”
Aid organisations echoed these concerns. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said: “Hundreds of people were killed… This is unacceptable. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be a target.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned the strike forms part of a wider pattern, with at least six health facilities affected since late February. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “Peace is the best medicine”, urging both sides to de-escalate.
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib described the attack as “a flagrant breach of international humanitarian law”, adding: “Health facilities must be protected, not targeted.”
The strike comes amid escalating hostilities. UNAMA said at least 76 civilians have been killed and 213 injured since late February, while displacement has affected tens of thousands across border regions.
International actors, including the European Union and the United Kingdom, are now calling for an immediate ceasefire and a return to dialogue.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States a...
Iran head coach Amir Ghalenoei has accused World Cup co-host the United States of treating his team "very unfairly", saying logistical restrictions ha...
At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Paki...
"I will be president for only a couple of weeks, and then I will resign," Vucic told supporters at a pro-government rally in the capital, Belgrade....
The death toll in the twin earthquakes which rocked Venezuela earlier this week has risen to 1,430, top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez said on Saturday. Ano...
At least three paramilitary troops and three suspected militants were killed after heavily armed attackers stormed a Rangers security compound in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Saturday, authorities said.
Pakistan is seeking to revive economic ties with Iran by reopening transport links and reassessing imports of discounted Iranian crude oil, as recent regional de-escalation raises hopes of broader economic cooperation.
As diplomacy helps ease tensions in the Middle East, Pakistan and Iran are seeking to turn that momentum into closer security cooperation along one of South Asia's most sensitive borders.
Pakistan and Russia have agreed to deepen counterterrorism cooperation amid continuing concerns over militant threats emanating from Afghanistan, underlining growing alignment between the two countries on regional security.
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
A tanker reported being struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, Britain's maritime security agency said, after the United States and Iran each launched strikes in the worst escalation since they signed their interim peace deal.
Germany and Poland are bracing for sweltering conditions as a deadly heatwave that has gripped Western Europe moves east, with temperatures expected to approach 40C over the weekend.
Protesters gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Lebanon and Israel signed a framework agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near Oman, with two U.S. officials accusing Iran of the attack.
Kazakhstan has not received an official request from Russia for petrol supplies, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said, as fuel shortages and sales restrictions in Russia raise concerns over fuel supplies across Central Asia.
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday (26 June) condemned as "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" a statement issued following a joint meeting of foreign ministers from the U.S. and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Manama, Bahrain.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, marking another milestone in the carrier's long-term fleet modernisation programme aimed at improving efficiency, expanding capacity and enhancing the passenger experience.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment