KABUL, Afghanistan – The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly minibus explosion late Saturday in the western Shiite neighborhood of Dashti Barchi in Kabul, killing at least two people and injuring fourteen others according to police spokesperson Khalid Zadran.
The attack targeted a bus carrying Shiite Muslims, whom the group referred to as disbelievers. This incident marked the first attack in the country in 2024. The Dashti Barchi area of Kabul has been repeatedly targeted by the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, which has carried out major assaults on schools, hospitals, and mosques, along with attacks in other Shiite areas across the country.
The Islamic State militant group has been a major rival of the Taliban since the latter seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The IS militants have targeted Shiites, whom they consider to have abandoned their faith. Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid claimed a 90% decrease in attacks by the IS affiliate in the past year.
The IS affiliate in Afghanistan has been targeting Shiites in Kabul and in northern provinces and has carried out major assaults on schools, hospitals, and mosques across the country. In November, the group claimed responsibility for a minibus explosion that killed seven people, and in October, they claimed responsibility for an attack on a sports club that killed four people.
The ongoing conflict between the Islamic State and the Taliban continues to have a devastating impact on the civilian population in Afghanistan. The recent attack in Kabul underscores the persistent threat posed by the Islamic State group’s affiliate in the region.
This attack serves as a grim reminder of the continued violence and instability in Afghanistan, particularly for religious minorities such as Shiite Muslims. The conflict between the Islamic State and the Taliban has led to numerous casualties and continues to pose a significant challenge for the Afghan government and its efforts to maintain stability and security in the country.