The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a press statement on Friday that the mission condemns last night's attack against civilian residents of the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

The statement said shortly before midnight on 10 November, a vehicle laden with heavy explosives detonated in the vicinity of the German Consulate in Mazar, killing four civilians and injuring 128, including 19 women and 38 children.

Most of the injured suffered minor wounds from broken glass while those with serious injuries remain hospitalized. The explosion also damaged more than 100 homes and shops, the statement added.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as revenge for recent air strikes in the neighboring province of Kunduz, according to UNAMA.

Attacks deliberately targeting the civilian population and violence aimed at spreading terror among civilians may amount to war crimes under customary international humanitarian law, UNAMA said.

The UN Mission expresses its sincere condolences to the families of victims and a speedy recovery to those injured.