Afghanistan: Roadside bomb kills 12 people in Herat province January 21

Event

A roadside bomb exploded in Herat province on Sunday, January 21, killing at least 12 people and wounding one other person. According to local officials, a vehicle struck the bomb in Gulran district early on Sunday (local time); though no group immediately claimed responsibility, local officials suspect that Taliban militants planted the bomb.

Context

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 2017 to send an additional 3000 troops to rout terrorist networks in the country. Most recently, the Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on January 20, which left at least 22 people dead.

Advice

Many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to the country due to a high threat from kidnapping, terrorism, and frequent and widespread lethal attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, domestic and international political and civilian targets, and individuals working in the humanitarian and reconstruction fields. Travel to the country should only be undertaken with proper security protocols in place.