Afghanistan: IS claims responsibility for Herat bombing /update 2

Event

Islamic State (IS) media outlet, Amaq, published a claim of responsibility for the August 1 attack on the Shi’a Jawadia mosque in the city of Herat that left 32 dead.

Context

It is the first claimed IS attack in an urban area outside Kabul and Jalalabad. The group is reportedly expanding into the greater western region of Afghanistan, specifically neighboring Ghor Province. IS’s branch in the region, known as Khorasan Province, was formed in 2015. The August 1 incident comes one day after a large-scale attack was carried out against the Iraqi Embassy in Kabul’s Shar-e Now area, which IS also claimed responsibility. Although the Taliban and the affiliated Haqqani network are responsible for the majority of terrorist attacks in Kabul, IS has become increasingly active in the capital since July 2016.

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.