Reactions to armed attack on foreign tourists in Bamyan, Afghanistan

An armed attack in Bamyan, resulting in the deaths of at least four people, including three foreign tourists, has sparked widespread international reactions, with the Prime Minister of Spain identifying the slain tourists in Bamyan as Spanish.

Several foreign tourists were targeted by unidentified armed individuals yesterday afternoon, May 17, in the city of Bamyan, resulting in the deaths of at least three foreigners, including one woman and one Afghan, and seven others injured, including three foreigners.

This attack, condemned by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, the Prime Minister of Spain, the United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan Affairs, and the Ministry of Interior of the Taliban, has garnered extensive coverage in international media, especially Spanish outlets.

Local sources in Bamyan confirmed to Khaama Press late yesterday that several foreign tourists were targeted around 6:00 PM local time in the central market of Bamyan in front of a restaurant known as “Lajward”.

Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior of the Taliban, confirmed the occurrence of this attack and announced the commencement of security investigations to identify the perpetrators, adding that four individuals have been detained in connection with this event.

Khaama Press findings indicate that the injured in this incident are tourists from Australia, Norway, Lithuania, and Spain.

Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, wrote on his social media platform: “I was shocked by the news of the killing of Spanish tourists in Afghanistan. I am closely following the situation. The emergency consular unit of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to provide all necessary assistance. I want to convey all my sympathy to their families and friends.”

Following the fall of the previous government in August 2021, the Spanish government closed its embassy in Kabul. It announced that it had coordinated with the European Union to address the injuries from the incident in Bamyan.

Spanish media, citing informed sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, reported that the tourists killed in Friday’s attack in Bamyan are from Catalonia, an autonomous region of Spain.

This attack has been met with widespread reactions. The European Union stated in response to the attack: “We strongly condemn the armed attack on a group of foreign tourists visiting Bamyan, Afghanistan.”

Thomas West, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Affairs, wrote on social media that hearing this news was “very sad and affecting,” adding that “violence is not the solution.”

Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, also termed this attack “cowardly.”

So far, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for this attack.

It is worth noting that Bamyan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Afghanistan due to its giant Buddhas and scenic locations.

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