Afghanistan: Three Taliban attacks kill at least 74 Oct. 17 /update 1

Event

Three Taliban attacks in Paktia, Ghazni, and Farah provinces killed at least 74 people and wounded more than 200 others on Tuesday, October 17. The attacks in the city of Gardez (Paktia province; 41 killed) and Andar district (Ghazni province; 30 killed) employed complex ambushes - using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and gunfire - to target police and government security installations. Taliban gunmen also killed three police officers in Shibkho district (Farah province) at the local district administrative center.

This series of attacks comes after the Taliban have reportedly endured significant losses at the hands of US aerial assaults and US-backed Afghan forces over the past six months. Heightened security measures and associated transportation disruptions are expected in the affected areas in the coming days.

Context

According to Afghanistan's Deputy Interior Minister Murad Ali Murad, Tuesday's Taliban attacks represent the country's "biggest terrorist attack this year." The recent attacks on these and other district administrative centers in Afghanistan are likely in response to a recent Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) security meeting in Muscat between Afghan, Chinese, Pakistani, and US officials, aimed at facilitating the start of peace negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan government.

Taliban forces regularly perpetrate attacks on Afghan soil as they seek to reimpose strict Islamic law since being ousted by US-led forces in 2001. The Taliban tend to target government and military buildings and personnel as they fight the US-backed Kabul government.

The Taliban have been increasingly active since US President Trump announced plans in September to send an additional 3000 troops to rout terrorist networks in the country.

Advice

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.