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Afghan envoy to UAE shocked by Kandahar terror attack

Abu Dhabi - 'I don't believe UAE was the target'.

The Afghan Ambassador to the UAE condemned the Kandahar terrorist attack that killed 11people, including five Emiratis, on Tuesday night.
"My day isn't going very well since I heard the news of the attack," Abdul Farid Zikria started his conversation with Khaleej Times over the phone.
"I'm in a deep state of shock," he said, noting that he received the news via phone call from a UAE colleague at the time it happened. The bombing took place at the headquarters of the Governor of Kandahar in Afghanistan, killing 11 people and wounding 18 others. Investigators believe someone hid the bomb inside a sofa at the guesthouse.
Zikria said he was aware the UAE ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi, who sustained a leg injury during the attack, was with a UAE delegation on humanitarian mission within the programme of the UAE to support the brotherly Afghan people.
"(Juma) is a good friend of mine for almost nine years now. He's like my brother, and I meet him every time I visit Kabul," said Zikria, who took his UAE office in 2004 before moving back to Kabul in 2009 and coming back to Abu Dhabi in January 2016.
He recalled speaking to Al Kaabi over the phone a day before the incident happened to discuss updates of the mission. Zikria said he was also good friends of one of the martyrs Mohammed Ali Zainal Al Bastaki.
"Three of us were supposed to have dinner before the UAE delegation leaves the UAE, but I couldn't attend. We couldn't reschedule because their trip to Kabul was the next day. Whenever I think of this, I feel so saddened that we lost many good people."
He added: "I knew Al Bastaki, for example, and he was a terrific human being, Until now, I cannot remove my image of him in my head."
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation mentioned that the UAE envoy's visit also included a plan to lay the foundation stone for the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for technical education in the capital city of Kabul, to be funded by Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation.
Zikria added that he is in touch with the National Security Advisor sent to Kandahar among a fact-finding delegation. "He updated me that (Al Kaabi) is doing better and his health will improve after undergoing a leg surgery."
He added that such terrorist attacks is expected to only strengthen UAE-Afghanistan relations. "Our relationships with the UAE is deeply-rooted. It hasn't started yesterday, but the relations go back to hundreds of years."
"And the enemies of peace will never affect the brotherhood between our nations," he said.
Zikria described the terrorist attack as "a case for both nations to remain together to fight against terrorism." Even before the attack, he said Afghanistan always cooperated with UAE against terrorism, but now the fight will be stronger.
"We have always been telling the world that one or two or three countries are not enough to fight terrorism. It should be fought globally," adding that Afghanistan has been on the forefront in the fight against terrorism, but support from other governments is needed.
'I don't believe UAE was the target'
Afghan ambassador to the UAE, Abdul Farid Zikria, said at this point, he does not believe the UAE was targeted until further investigation is officially ruled out.
"The delegation's visit was planned only a few days ago, but it is clear that the attack carried out was very well-planned and that the terrorists spend a long time planning it."
Zikria further pointed out: "The only thing a terrorist understands is how to destroy and kill. They don't care whether it is Emiratis or Afghans, but this is against humanity itself. They could've stopped the attack when they knew the UAE delegation is visiting, but they didn't, which shows that no matter what, they will still go ahead with their attacks."
With the presence of dozens of terrorist groups, Zikria said it is difficult to pinpoint the party behind the attack. "What matters most is that those who committed this crime would be punished by the world powers."
He added, "As Muslims, we can only hope that they get the punishment they deserve sooner or later."
Zikria offered his condolences to the families of martyrs, the UAE government and people, wishing those injured a fast recovery
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com