(UTV | COLOMBO) – International medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is closing its maternity ward in the Afghan capital, Kabul, following a deadly gun attack.
Twenty-four women, children and babies were killed when gunmen entered the facility and opened fire on 12 May.
MSF said it had taken the decision “with the understanding” that the victims were deliberately targeted.
The assault at the clinic prompted widespread condemnation. No group has said it carried out the attack.
On Monday, MSF said in a statement that while no information had emerged about the perpetrators or motive of the assault on the at the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital, “mothers, babies and health staff were its deliberate target and similar attacks may repeat in the future”.
MSF Director General Thierry Allafort-Duverger said that while he was aware that the agency’s presence carried risks, “we just couldn’t believe that someone would take advantage of the absolute vulnerability of women about to give birth to exterminate them and their babies”.
MSF described the move as “necessary but painful”.