Tillerson condemns attack at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Sunday condemned the Taliban’s attack over the weekend at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul and praised the Afghan authorities’ handling of the assault.

“We mourn all those who lost their lives in the attack, whether Afghans or citizens of other countries,” Tillerson said in a statement. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed and wish for the speedy recovery of those wounded.”

{mosads}

The statement comes after the hotel in Afghanistan’s capital city came under siege by Taliban insurgents over the weekend. The New York Times, citing local reports, said 43 individuals were killed, though the country’s Interior Ministry said 18 were killed.

Tillerson said the U.S. is speaking with Afghan officials about the attack, for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility, and is “committed to supporting Afghan efforts to achieve peace, security, and prosperity for their country.”

“We are in contact with Afghan authorities regarding their investigation of the incident,” Tillerson said. “We have seen the Taliban’s claim of responsibility and condemn terrorist groups for their violent campaign against Afghan and foreign personnel working to improve Afghanistan.”

A spokesperson for Afghanistan’s chief executive office wrote on Twitter that the Taliban’s Haqqani network was responsible for the attack. In the tweet, written early Sunday local time, Javid Faisal said 7 people were killed.

“Afghan forces rescued over 100 civilians and killed all suicide bombers in the attack on #Intercontinental #Hotel in #Kabul,” Faisal said.