Kabul, Afghanistan (BBN)- Rebel insurgents in Afghanistan have launched a rocket attack on a United Nations compound in the western province of Herat, causing damage to a vehicle and equipment, the UN mission said on Tuesday.
Some seven rockets were fired last night in a deliberate attack against the UN, with two of the missiles landing inside the compound, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a press statement condemning the attack
“Thankfully no UN staff were harmed or otherwise injured in this attack and our offices remain open,” said the spokesperson in the statement.
The head of UNAMA, Kai Eide,said that the attack resulted in damage to a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) vehicle and two UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) generators.
“United Nations staff are here to help Afghanistan’s most vulnerable communities,” the mission said, adding that the “impartiality of the work we do for the people of Afghanistan must be respected.”
UNAMA urged the Afghan authorities to make every effort to find the militants behind this attack and hold them accountable.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-29July09-9:24 am (BST)