[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] International leaders have raised their voices in condemnation of the terrorist attack near Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of over 100 people.
According to foreign media on the 27th, U.S. President Joe Biden identified the attack as the work of the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) and strongly condemned it, declaring a firm stance on military retaliation by stating, "We will track them down to the end and make them pay."
Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also described the attack as "shocking" during a regular briefing that day, urging "all parties to take effective measures to ensure the Afghan situation proceeds peacefully."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the attack a "barbaric assault" in a statement, noting, "There has been nothing like this for decades." He added that efforts to evacuate British nationals from Kabul would continue until the very last moment.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement saying, "I firmly condemn the terrorists' attack" and extended "condolences to the families of the American and Afghan victims."
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio strongly condemned the attack on Twitter, expressing "mourning for the deceased and solidarity with the injured."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "My heart breaks thinking of the Afghan people and the brave men and women among our allies who were victims," and pledged cooperation for refugee resettlement.
Middle Eastern and African countries also joined in condemning the terror attack. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement reaffirming its position to "stand united against all terrorism, violence, and extremism."
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs likewise declared in a statement that it "rejects criminal acts incompatible with religious principles, morals, human values."
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement strongly condemning the "vicious attack," while Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz emphasized, "Our hearts are with the U.S. troops and Afghans in Kabul."
Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, tweeted, "Prayers for the innocent lives lost in the horrific terror attack at Kabul Airport," adding, "I condemn (the terrorists) in the strongest terms. Terrorism threatens our shared humanity."
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also posted on Twitter, "Strongly condemning the horrific terror attack near Kabul Airport." He stressed that evacuating as many people as possible from Kabul as quickly as possible is a priority.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), commented on the incident, stating, "Civilians must be protected," and that "WHO is ready to support medical facilities treating the injured."
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