Afghanistan: Complex suicide attack kills 21 In Jalalabad March 6 /update 1

Event

A body-borne suicide bomber (BBIED) followed by armed assailants conducted a complex suicide attack in Jalalabad on Wednesday, March 6, around 09:20 (local time). The assailants reportedly targeted a construction facility near Jalalabad Airport (JAA). According to a statement by the provincial governor's office, 16 company employees as well as all five attackers were killed during the attack which reportedly ended before 12:00. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Local security forces are deployed to secure the area.

Context

Taliban and Islamic State (IS) militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) - and the Afghan government more broadly - to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country.

Advice

Individuals in Jalalabad, and Afghanistan more generally, are advised to monitor developments to the situation, adhere to security protocols, and remain vigilant for militant activity.

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.