KABUL, Afghanistan – The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly minibus explosion in the Afghan capital on Saturday. The attack, which targeted a bus carrying Shiite Muslims in the Dashti Barchi neighborhood, resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals and left fourteen others injured, as stated by police spokesperson Khalid Zadran. This incident marks the first attack of 2024 in the country.
The Sunni militant group referred to the Shiite Muslims as disbelievers in a statement released shortly after the explosion. The Dashti Barchi area has been a frequent target for the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, which has carried out major assaults on schools, hospitals, and mosques. The group has also targeted other Shiite areas across the country.
This is not the first time the neighborhood has been struck by such attacks. In November, a similar explosion in the same area resulted in the death of seven people and left 20 others wounded, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility. On Oct. 26, four people were killed and seven were wounded when an explosion hit a sports club in the Dashti Barchi neighborhood. The Islamic State group also claimed responsibility for that attack.
Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid reported a 90% decrease in attacks by the IS affiliate in the past year, indicating a decrease in violence. The IS affiliate has been a major rival of the Taliban since the latter seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, with IS militants frequently targeting Shiites.
In conclusion, the Islamic State group’s continued attacks on Shiite areas in Afghanistan pose a significant threat to the stability and security of the country. The ongoing conflict between the Taliban and the IS affiliate is a cause for concern, and efforts to address the violence and protect vulnerable communities are of utmost importance.