Afghanistan: Islamic State claims responsibility for Kabul attack June 11 /update 1

Event

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for an attack at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Kabul on Monday, June 11, which killed at least 13 people and wounded 31 others. Additional IS attacks targeting government personnel and installations are possible in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

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 claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing attack targeting religious scholars in Kabul's 5th district on June 4 which killed and wounded over a dozen people. IS-KP also claimed responsibility for a complex attack on Kabul's Ministry of Interior Affairs on May 30, which killed at least one police officer and wounded five others.

Advice

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