US condemns 'barbaric' suicide attack in Afghan capital

By Safvan Allahverdi

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. government condemned the suicide attack in Afghanistan's Kabul that left 41, mostly civilians, dead Thursday.

"The United States strongly condemns today’s barbaric attack at a cultural and social center in Kabul, Afghanistan, and offers its deepest condolences to the victims and their families," it said in a statement released by the White House.

The bombing took place at a facility hosting a news agency and a cultural center in the western Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood at around 10.30 a.m. local time (0730GMT).

Nasrat Rehimi, deputy spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, told Anadolu Agency that in addition to the dead, 80 others were injured.

Two children were among those killed in the blast, according to a Health Ministry spokesman.

The White House statement said the U.S. stands firmly with the Afghanistan government, its people and will work closely with the National Unity Government to bring the perpetrators of the "heinous attack" to justice.

"The enemies of Afghanistan will not succeed in their attempts to destroy the country and divide the Afghan people, who are resilient and committed to establishing peace and stability," the statement read.

The Daesh-affiliated Amaq News Agency said the terror group carried out the attack.