Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Attack in Kabul
On September 3, the Islamic State (IS) extremist group asserted its responsibility for a devastating attack that occurred the previous day in the heart of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul. This assault resulted in a tragic death toll of at least six individuals, with an additional 13 suffering injuries. According to reports from the Voice of America’s Pashto service and the AFP news agency, the attack appeared to target the Taliban-led government’s prosecution offices.
The IS group, through its Amaq media wing, described the incident as a suicide attack executed as employees were departing after their shifts. Eyewitness accounts, however, suggested a far graver outcome, as they reported a significantly higher death toll. In fact, the Amaq report itself ominously claimed that over 45 individuals had been killed or wounded in the strike.
This particular incident marks a continuation of the violent campaign conducted by the Sunni-led Islamic State-Khorasan (ISK) branch since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. The ISK has frequently targeted Taliban officials, foreign nationals, and the Shiite Hazara community, leading to a series of violent confrontations and a deteriorating security situation within the country.
The deadly attack on September 2 serves as yet another reminder of the fragile state of security in Afghanistan as the Taliban attempts to govern amid ongoing threats from extremist groups. The recent increase in violence underscores the challenges faced by the Taliban in establishing control and ensuring the safety of Afghan citizens. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the violence that continues to plague the nation.
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