US condemns terrorist attack on American University in Kabul

Condemning in the strongest terms the terrorist attack on the American University in Kabul, the US has reaffirmed its support to the Afghanistan government and people and saluted the quick response of Afghan forces.

"The US condemns in the strongest terms the terrorist attack today on the American University of Afghanistan. We salute the quick work of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces who responded to the attack and secured the university," Spokesman of the National Security Council, the White House, Ned Price said.

"We send our thoughts and prayers to the families and loved ones of those killed and our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to those wounded. We further reaffirm the support of the US for the Afghan government and people as they continue to build a more stable, secure, and prosperous Afghanistan," he said.

State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau said an attack on a university is an attack on the future of Afghanistan.

There were a small number of Resolute Support advisers who assisted their Afghan counterparts as Afghan forces responded to the attack. These advisers are not taking a combat role but advising Afghan counterparts, she said.

According to White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest, the attack underscores the significant challenge facing the people of Afghanistan, particularly as it relates to their security situation.

"But we continue to see the skill and professionalism of Afghan security forces improve. That's not happening by accident. That's happening because of the commitment that the US and our NATO partners have made to enhancing the capacity and capability of Afghan security forces to provide for the security situation in their own country," he said in response to a question at his daily news conference.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sent his thoughts and prayers to everyone at the university in Kabul, saying, "We must defeat Radical Islamic terrorism. Anyone who will not name our enemy is not fit to lead this country."

"This tragic attack on a symbol of hope and progress is yet another reminder of the increasingly perilous security situation in Afghanistan," said Senator Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.