Afghanistan: Taliban kill 11 people in Zabul and Baghlan attacks on checkpoints March 29

Event

Taliban militants reportedly attacked checkpoints in Arghandab district (Zabul province) and on the outskirts of Pol-e Khomri (Baghlan province) on Sunday, March 29, killing 11 members of security forces and wounding at least six others. Additionally, a sticky bomb attached to a vehicle in Kabul exploded on Monday, March 30, wounding at least four people. The Taliban did not immediately claim responsibility for the attacks.

Similar militant attacks on security checkpoints are to be expected in Afghanistan over the near term.

Context

Progress toward Afghan-Taliban negotiations, as stipulated in a US-brokered peace deal, has been hampered by a power struggle between President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, who have both recently declared themselves president in competing inauguration ceremonies.

Taliban 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 the affected areas are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the vicinities of the attacks, and obey all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.