Afghanistan: Islamic States claims responsibility for Kabul attack May 3 /update 1

Event

The Islamic State (IS) issued a statement through its Amaq New Agency claiming responsibility for the attack on a NATO convoy in Kabul on Wednesday, May 3. IS said that one of its fighters detonated the suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) near a security checkpoint close to the United States Embassy.

Context

At least nine people were killed and 28 others were injured in the blast. Three US servicemen were reportedly among those wounded in the attack. Reports indicate that various individuals remain in critical condition and that most of the victims are civilians. The attack occurred near a National Defence Security (NDS) checkpoint on Shash Darak Road in the central Macroyan neighborhood, in an area not far from the US Embassy and a compound used by the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

IS has claimed a number of attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan since forming its regional branch, Khorasan Province, in 2015. In March, the group claimed an attack targeting Kabul’s Sardar Mohammad Khan military hospital on March 8, resulting in approximately 50 deaths. An attack on Kabul’s Supreme Court on February 7, responsible for 22 deaths, was also claimed by IS. In July 2016, IS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in the capital the left around 80 people dead.

Advice

As always, 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.