UN Security Council condemns Kabul attack as 'especially abhorrent'

The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday condemned "in the strongest terms" the

terrorist attacks

near the Kabul airport, which has resulted in the death and injuries of dozens of civilians, including children and military personnel.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all instances of terrorism and deliberate attacks against civilians. They recalled that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians," the UNSC said in a statement.

"Deliberately targeting civilians and personnel assisting in the evacuation of civilians is especially abhorrent and must be condemned," the statement added.

The Kabul airport attack on Thursday, which killed 13 U.S. troops and at least 79 Afghans, was claimed by ISIS-K, a radical affiliation of ISIS.

Tens of thousands of people have been fleeing Afghanistan since the Taliban came to power as foreign forces withdraw. The Security Council "called on all relevant parties to respect and facilitate the safe evacuation of civilians."

China

condemned the attacks

on Friday and vowed to work alongside the world in combating all acts of terrorism.

(With input from Reuters)

(Cover: The United Nations headquarters building in New York. /CFP)