KABUL, Afghanistan – The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly minibus explosion that occurred in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on Saturday. The explosion resulted in the deaths of at least five people, with fifteen others sustaining injuries in the attack. This marks the first attack in the country for the year 2024.
According to a police spokesperson, the explosion targeted a bus carrying Shiite Muslims, and the Islamic State group referred to the victims as disbelievers in a statement released shortly after the attack. The incident took place in the Dashti Barchi neighborhood of Kabul, which has been repeatedly targeted by the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan.
In the past, the group has launched major assaults on schools, hospitals, and mosques, primarily targeting Shiite areas across the country. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has called for an end to targeted attacks on civilians and has emphasized the need for greater protection for the country’s Hazara community, as well as accountability for the perpetrators.
Notably, the Islamic State group previously claimed responsibility for a similar minibus explosion that took place in the same area of Kabul, resulting in seven fatalities and 20 injuries. The group has been a major rival of the Taliban since the latter took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, and has frequently targeted Shiites, whom it considers to have abandoned their faith.
Recent statements by Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid have pointed to a significant decrease in attacks by the Islamic State affiliate in the past year. Despite the decline, the ongoing threat posed by the group underscores the challenges faced by Afghanistan in ensuring the safety and security of its people.