Afghanistan: IS suicide bombing kills 18 in Kabul November 16 /update 1

Event

An Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP)-claimed suicide bombing killed at least 18 people, including eight police officers, and wounded several more in the Khair Khana Mina neighborhood of Kabul on Thursday, November 16. The IS-KP assailant reportedly detonated his explosives while attempting to enter Qasr-e-Naween Hall during a political meeting organized by supporters of Atta Mohammad Noor, governor of northern Balkh province and senior member of the Tajik-majority Jamiat-e-Islami party, around 12:00 (local time). Casualty numbers from the bombing may rise in the coming hours.

Context

Noor is the governor of Balkh province and a major figure in the Tajik-majority Jamiat-i-Islami party.

IS-KP has perpetrated several attacks in Afghanistan in recent weeks, notably a suicide bombing that killed at least seven people and wounded 21 others in the Wazir Akhbar Khan (Green Zone) area of Kabul on October 31.

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.