The people of Afghanistan are again in our thoughts after yesterday evening's terrorist attack in the city of Herat. Targeting civilians in a mosque, where people were gathering for their prayers, the attack has claimed the lives of at least 29 people and wounded many more. One day before, a suicide attack on the Embassy of Iraq in Kabul left two Afghan civilians dead. The European Union expresses its sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of these attacks and wishes a swift recovery to those who were injured.

Only an end to the violence and an inclusive, peaceful resolution of the conflict can finally bring peace for the Afghan people, who for so many decades have suffered from insecurity. The European Union reaffirms its commitment to stand by the Afghan authorities in the fight against terrorism. We are united with the Afghan people in support of the efforts to fight this global threat.