Islamic State Khurasan's International Target Strategy: Suicide Bombing Aimed at Taliban Foreign Ministry and Chinese Diplomats
Islamic State Khurasan's International Target Strategy: Suicide Bombing Aimed at Taliban Foreign Ministry and Chinese Diplomats
On January 11, the Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) conducted a suicide bombing targeting the Afghan foreign ministry facility in the capital city of Kabul. Reports suggest the attacker intended to enter the building but detonated the device before reaching the target — a meeting between the Taliban and a Chinese delegation was apparently due to take place inside the building sometime during the day.
The Islamic State’s (IS) central media claimed 20 people were killed and dozens of others wounded, including employees, diplomats, and guards. Due to media restrictions and the tendency of the Taliban to downplay related figures, the exact casualty toll and its nationality makeup are unknown, but photos from the scene show a number of victims lying motionless at the blast location. Reuters estimates at least five dead and over 40 wounded. The perpetrator was named by IS as one “Khyber al-Kandahari.”