The Islamic State (I.S.) in Afghanistan claimed responsibility for a Saturday evening bombing in the Dasht-e-Barchi section of Kabul. Officials have stated that the attack killed at least 5 people and wounded 14 others.
The incident was reported to have taken place on a minibus carrying followers of Shiite Islam. The I.S. is known for targeting Shia worshipers, a Muslim sect that they see as heretical to their Sunni teachings.
The area of the city where the explosion occurred has been a frequent target of I.S. attacks in the past. The terror group has targeted non-Sunni infrastructure such as mosques, schools, hospitals, and sports clubs. Saturday’s event was their first action in the country for 2024.
The Islamic State's campaign of terrorism is not just limited to Afghanistan, although they have increased local activity there since the Taliban reclaimed the government after the withdrawal of U.S. military forces in August 2021.
On Thursday, the organization claimed responsibility for the Jan. 3 suicide-bombing of a memorial service in Iran for former IRGC leader Qassem Soleimani that caused the death of 91 people. Soleimani was neutralized during a U.S. airstrike in 2020.
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