29 Killed in Suicide Attack in Kabul; Three Radio Free Europe Journalists Among the Dead

Two suicide explosions on Monday in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, left 29 dead and dozens injured, with several journalists, including three from Radio Free Europe’s Afghanistan section, among the casualties. According to reports, one of the explosions occurred near the building of the 'General Directorate of National Security,' which is equivalent to the Ministry of Information in the country. The second explosion took place in front of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing of Afghanistan. Reports indicate that the ISIS group has claimed responsibility for these explosions. Radio Free Europe has reported that three of its journalists, Abadullah Hanazi, Mahram Dorani, and Sabawon Kakar, were killed in these attacks, and another journalist from this media outlet was reported injured. The second explosion occurred while journalists were at the scene to cover the first explosion, and in addition to the three Radio Free Europe journalists, several other journalists, including a photographer from the French news agency, were killed in this incident. This attack comes a week after an explosion at a voter registration center that left 60 dead, also claimed by ISIS. ISIS-linked groups have previously targeted civilians in bombings in Kabul. Afghan officials say that the security situation in the country is deteriorating, and more attacks are likely to occur ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections. Afghanistan is set to hold parliamentary elections this fall, and both ISIS and the Taliban, which occasionally carry out attacks in various parts of the country, oppose the holding of elections in Afghanistan.