Afghanistan: Killed in an attack on a hotel in Kabul

Another attack has been carried out in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. According to the Taliban, an attack on a hotel killed three attackers and wounded two foreign hotel guests.

Multiple assassins have attacked a hotel popular with foreigners in the Afghan capital, Kabul. Sabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the militant Islamic Taliban, said three attackers were killed. Two foreign guests were injured after jumping through a window while trying to escape.

Police also said three attackers were killed. A fourth suspect has been arrested.

Explosions and firing were heard in the area. Video footage posted on social media showed smoke billowing from the building. A hospital in Kabul said there had been an explosion and gunfire near a hotel about a kilometer away. 21 people were admitted with injuries. Three died on arrival. It was not clear if the attackers were among the dead. Khalid Sadran, a spokesman for the Kabul police, said the attack lasted several hours. A “cleanup operation” is underway.

Terrorist group “Islamic State” (IS) later claimed responsibility for the attack. The militant group said two IS fighters detonated two bombs at a hotel “visited by Chinese diplomats and businessmen” on Monday. One of them also shot dead the hotel guests.

Visit of many Chinese merchants

The hotel caters mainly to Chinese. Since the return to power of the radical Islamist Taliban, many Chinese businessmen have been visiting Afghanistan. Although Beijing does not officially recognize the Taliban government, it has kept its embassy in Afghanistan open since it came to power in August last year. The Taliban have made improving security one of their priorities.

Last Sunday, the Chinese ambassador met the Taliban and asked them to ensure the safety of Chinese diplomats in Kabul.

Since the militant Islamic Taliban seized power after the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces in August 2021, the terrorist group “Islamic State” has intensified its attacks in the country. Like the Taliban, IS is a Sunni group, but the two have a fierce rivalry with each other. In early December, several attacks rocked the Afghan capital.