Red Cross puts operations 'on hold' in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has put their operations "on hold" in Afghanistan following an attack that claimed the lives of six of its members in the northern part of the country.

Thomas Glass, ICRC representative in Afghanistan, told Anadolu Agency however reiterated the Red Cross's commitment to aid and support people in need in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

“It is unfortunate to see such attacks aimed at the people who were there to help the needy people. It has consequences, we cannot go ahead and put the lives of our team members in danger unless there is a security guarantee,” he said.

On Wednesday, six members of the ICRC were shot dead by group of armed men described by the local police as pro-Daesh rebels. The ICRC team was on its way to provide aid to a village in the northern Jowzjan province when it was attacked. According to the ICRC, two other staff members are still missing. The aid group has been active across Afghanistan for the past 30 years.

The attack was widely condemned. Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah described it as a criminal act of "coward terrorists".

EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has said an attack on those who work to help others is an attack on humanity and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.