Afghan officials report that at least 72 people have died as a result of suicide attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan. ISIS has claimed responsibility for one of these attacks. The Associated Press reported on Saturday (October 21) that in one of the suicide attacks, which occurred at a Shia mosque in Kabul, 39 people have been killed and 41 injured so far. According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Interior, the mosque, named 'Imam Zaman', is located in the western part of Kabul in the 'Dasht-e Barchi' area. The Ministry of Interior stated that the attacker detonated himself among the worshippers at the beginning of Friday prayers. Some reports indicate that the attacker opened fire on the worshippers before detonating his explosive belt. The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Shia mosque in Kabul. According to the report, a second suicide attack also occurred on Friday at a Sunni mosque in the western province of Ghor, resulting in the deaths of 33 people, including a military commander opposed to the Taliban, who appears to have been the main target of this attack. No individual or group has yet claimed responsibility for this attack. Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, stated that these attacks demonstrate that terrorists have once again resumed their bloody actions, but they will not achieve their 'evil' goals. More than 90% of Afghanistan's population is Sunni, and Shia Muslims are considered a religious minority in the country. The previous attack on the Shia mosque in Kabul occurred on September 29, while Shia Muslims were preparing for the Ashura ceremonies, resulting in the deaths of six people. According to a recent United Nations report, at least 84 people have been killed and 194 injured in attacks on Shia mosques or their religious ceremonies in 2017. These attacks come a day after an attack on an army base in Kandahar province, which resulted in the deaths of 43 soldiers. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack. In the same context, senior Taliban members have died in ongoing drone strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and more than 70 people have been killed in 'Taliban attacks' on Afghan security forces.
At least 72 people killed in suicide attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan
At least 72 people were killed in suicide attacks on two mosques in Afghanistan, with ISIS claiming responsibility for one of the attacks. The violence highlights the ongoing sectarian tensions in the region, particularly against the Shia minority. This incident underscores the resurgence of terrorist activities in Afghanistan, raising concerns about security and stability.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
At least 72 people were killed in two suicide attacks on mosques in Afghanistan, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the attack on a Shia mosque in Kabul. The violence highlights the ongoing sectarian tensions and the resurgence of terrorist activities in the region.
- 39 people were killed in the Shia mosque attack in Kabul and 33 in the Sunni mosque attack in Ghor.
- More than 90% of Afghanistan's population is Sunni, making Shia Muslims a minority and targets of sectarian violence.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Afghanistan has a complex sectarian landscape, with a Sunni majority and a vulnerable Shia minority that has faced targeted violence from extremist groups like ISIS.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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