Afghanistan: NGO guesthouse assaulted and foreign national kidnapped in Kabul City, May 20 /update 1

Event

The Afghan interior ministry has confirmed an attack by gunmen on a foreign occupied guesthouse in the Darulaman Road area of Kabul City in PD7 at approximately 23:30 (local time) on Saturday, May 20.  Unknown attackers attempted to kidnap three foreign national females employed by the Swedish aid group Operation Mercy.  A Dutch female national escaped, a German female national was shot and killed whilst trying to escape, and a female Finnish national was successfully abducted.

Context

There are no further details of the incident at this time, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The vast majority of kidnappings in the country are of local nationals, but foreigners are also at increasingly high risk of abduction. Although many of the kidnappings in Afghanistan are conducted by criminal gangs looking for ransom, groups may sell hostages to extremist organizations operating in the country.

Advice

The risk of kidnap across Afghanistan is extremely high. Foreign nationals in the country are advised to avoid the area and remain abreast of any developments. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.