Suicide Attack in Kabul Leaves at Least 26 Dead

A suicide attack on a Shia shrine in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, left at least 26 dead and many injured, with a significant number of victims being teenagers. According to Reuters, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating through its Amaq news agency that the 'suicide operation carried out with a suicide vest targeted a Shia gathering during their Nowruz celebration in Kabul.' This marks the fifth suicide attack in recent weeks in Kabul. The Taliban has denied any involvement in the attack via Twitter. Reuters reported that a suicide bomber detonated himself among a crowd near the Karte Sakhi shrine, resulting in at least 18 injuries in addition to the 26 fatalities. All victims were civilians who were heading to Karte Sakhi, located near Kabul University, to celebrate the Persian New Year. Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Interior, confirmed that this shrine has been a target of such attacks before. In November 2016, an Islamic State member killed 18 people who had come to the shrine for Ashura ceremonies. Nowruz is celebrated in most parts of Afghanistan, but some extremists oppose this occasion, deeming it incompatible with Islam. This explosion occurred while the government had promised to make greater efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens, a promise that came after multiple attacks by militants in January that resulted in at least 100 deaths. The Taliban is under pressure following a negotiation proposal from Ashraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan, but has remained silent on the offer. Recent attacks in Kabul have challenged the efforts of both domestic and foreign forces to protect the Afghan capital. General John Nicholson, who commands U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, recently stated that protecting Kabul is a priority for foreign troops present in Afghanistan.