28 Dec 2017 | 10:52 PM UTC
Afghanistan: Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Kabul Dec. 28 /update 1
Islamic State claims suicide bombing in Kabul that killed at least 41 people and wounded over 80 others December 28
Event
A suicide bombing attack killed at least 41 people and wounded over 80 others in Kabul on Thursday, December 28; the Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack. The bombing took place at roughly 10:30 (local time) in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood and reportedly targeted the Shi'a Tibian Social and Cultural Center during a morning panel discussion; the blast also rocked the adjacent Afghan Voice news agency. Additional militant attacks against Shi'a sites and Afghan media groups are possible in the coming weeks.
Context
IS regularly targets Shi'a sites and officials in its attacks. Thursday's attack is also the latest in a string targeting Afghan media groups. A private television station in Kabul was attacked in November, for which the IS claimed responsibility. One person was killed and over 20 others injured. Security across the Afghan capital was stepped up in recent weeks in anticipation of an increased terrorist threat associated with the end-of-year holidays.
Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) has perpetrated several other attacks in Afghanistan in recent weeks, notably including a suicide bombing that killed at least 18 people, including eight police officers, and wounded several more in the Khair Khana Mina neighborhood of Kabul on November 16. Additionally, IS-KP militants carried out a suicide bombing that killed at least seven people and wounded 21 others in the Wazir Akhbar Khan (Green Zone) area of Kabul on October 31.
Advice
Individuals present in Kabul are advised to avoid the area, adhere to all official directives, and monitor the situation.
Due to major security concerns, individuals throughout Afghanistan are urged to keep a safe distance from large gatherings, military convoys, government buildings, and crowded urban areas. Many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to the high threat of kidnapping and terrorism, including frequent attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, local civilians and politicians, and individuals working in the humanitarian and reconstruction fields. Travel to the country should only be undertaken with proper security protocols in place.
