Afghanistan: Militant attacks in Nangarhar and Kabul provinces Nov. 22-23

Event

An Islamic State (IS)-claimed suicide bombing killed at least eight people and wounded at least 16 others in Jalalabad (Nangarhar province) on Thursday, November 23. The bombing reportedly targeted a group demonstrating in support of a recently ousted police commander. According to local health officials, some of those wounded in the attack sustained serious injuries.

In a separate incident, a motorcycle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) attack wounded three Georgian soldiers who were in a NATO-led Resolute Support mission patrol convoy some 20 km (12.4 mi) from Bagram airfield in Qarabagh district (Kabul province) on Wednesday, November 22. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, though the Taliban regularly target NATO forces and personnel.

Context

Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) has perpetrated several attacks in Afghanistan in recent weeks, notably a suicide bombing that killed at least 18 people, including eight police officers, and wounded several more in the Khair Khana Mina neighborhood of Kabul on November 16. Additionally, IS-KP militants carried out 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.

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 Donald 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.