Afghanistan: IS claims responsibility for Ministry of Interior attack May 30 /update 1

Event

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for a complex attack on Kabul's Ministry of Interior on Wednesday, May 30, which killed at least one police officer and wounded five others. Afghan security forces repelled the attack, killing all the IS assailants. As of around 19:45 (local time), Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL) had suspended all departing and arriving flights until further notice. Additional IS attacks on government personnel and installations are possible in Kabul in the near-term.

Context

Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) is active in Afghanistan and has carried out several attacks in the country in recent months. Notably, IS-KP carried out a suicide bombing attack on a voter registration center in Kabul on April 22, killing at least 69 people and wounding around 120 others. An IS-KP suicide bomber also struck the Shi'a Kart-e-Sakhi shrine in Kabul on March 21, killing at least 33 people and wounding 65 others. On April 30, 26 individuals died in a series of terror attacks, including several reporters.

Advice

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas with proper security protocols in place, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.