The Death Toll from the Attack on a Checkpoint in Kabul Rises to 11

The Afghan Ministry of Defense reports that during an attack by insurgent groups on an army checkpoint near the country's main military academy in Kabul, 11 Afghan soldiers were killed and six others were injured. Government spokesman Dawlat Waziri stated that five armed attackers participated in the assault on the General Fahim Military Academy checkpoint. He told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that two attackers detonated themselves, two others were killed during the firefight, and the fifth attacker was captured alive. According to him, the attackers' target was not the military academy itself but rather the checkpoint of this facility. While the Taliban has carried out several deadly attacks in Kabul in recent weeks, the Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for Monday's attack. Personnel at this center were also targeted in a Taliban attack on October 21, where at least 15 personnel were killed as they left the academy. Local and foreign media report that around sunrise, explosions and gunfire were heard around the gates of the military academy. In this regard, Tolo News reported that its reporters at the scene said that shortly after the attack occurred, security forces closed all streets in the area. Reuters quoted a resident of Kabul who said that explosions began around 5 AM and lasted for at least an hour. According to him, after the initial loud explosions, smaller explosions were heard intermittently. The German news agency also quoted an Afghan army officer near the scene stating that he heard 11 explosions at the start of the attack. He suggested that these explosions could have been RPG fire. The attack on this military academy occurred just days after another attack in Kabul that killed over 100 people. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack, and the Afghan government declared a day of national mourning on Sunday due to this deadly bombing. Government officials say that the attackers on Saturday managed to pass through checkpoints in an ambulance and reach the central area of the city where many government buildings and embassies are located. During that attack, at least 235 people were injured, including over 30 police officers. In response to this attack, U.S. President Donald Trump called for 'decisive action' from all countries against the Taliban, stating that 'these bloody attacks will add to our resolve and that of our Afghan allies.' About a week ago, during an attack on an international hotel in Kabul, at least 25 people, including many foreign nationals, were killed. Since 2014, when U.S. and NATO troops ended their combat operations in Afghanistan, Afghan government forces have had limited success in battling the Taliban. Donald Trump has pledged to increase the active presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, sending thousands more soldiers without a deadline for the end of the mission.