ISIS Did It Again!
ISIS claimed responsibility for the Kabul suicide bombings that left at least 80 dead and more than 200 injured in the Afghan capital, Saturday.
According to ISIS’ media wing, Amaq, two ISIS suicide bombers detonated their suicide belts among the protesters.
Before the blasts, thousands of minority Shiite Hazaras were peacefully demonstrating in the streets near the Afghan Parliament building and Kabul University. But twin blasts suddenly hit the crowd, dispersing the demonstrators as they ran for safety.
The aftermath was devastating as dead bodies sprawled in the streets and blood was scattered everywhere.
Fatima Faizi, an Afghan freelance journalist, said “I saw tens of people laying down in blood around me and hundreds of people running away from the scene.”
The minority group, Hazaras, launched the protest demanding that key power transmission line pass through their electricity-starved Bamyan province.
US Condemns Kabul Suicide Bombings
John Kirby, the US Assistant Secretary and US Department Spokesperson, issued statements today in Washington DC condemning the suicide bombings in Afghanistan.
He said, “We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and we offer President Ghani whatever assistance he may require as his government investigates and works to bring the murderers to justice.”
In addition, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton also expressed outrage in her Twitter account that says, “Outraged by today’s attack in Kabul that killed dozens who were peacefully demonstrating. We stand with the Afghan people against terror.”
Who are the Hazaras?
Hazaras are Persian-speaking people who dominantly live in central Afghanistan. They are branded outsiders in Afghanistan for their Shia faith and Asian features.
Hazara population accounts for up to one-fifth of Afghanistan’s population.
Records of ISIS-Related Attacks in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been rocked by insurgencies and targeted by terror attacks perpetrated by the Taliban and ISIS.
Earlier this year, three ISIS suicide bombers launched an attack on the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad. The attack left six people dead, as well as the three assailants.
On June 20, 2016, ISIS claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a bus carrying Nepalese security guards in Kabul.The attack killed at least 16 people. ISIS identified the bomber as Irfanullah Ahmed and published a photo of him.
