Islamic State claims credit for suicide bombing at a Afghanistan wedding: 63 dead, over 180 injured
A wedding in Kabul, Afghanistan was the scene of a horrific act of terror, a suicide bombing in a wedding hall whick left 63 people dead and over 180 injured.
A video was published on social media revealing the horrors, devastation and confusion in the wake of the attack. This from Sky News:
The Associated Press quotes a man named Amanullah, whose son was killed in the attack, and his body severely disfigured: “I wish I could find the pieces of my son’s body and put them as one piece into the grave.”
Islamic State has claimed responsibility, a move to certainly disrupt Afghan civilians as the U.S. and Taliban seek an agreement to end nearly 18 years of fighting.
While the U.S. wants Taliban assurances that Afghanistan will no longer be used as a launch pad for global terror attacks, there appear to be no guarantees of protection for Afghan civilians.
From the AP: “The blast took place in a western Kabul neighborhood that is home to many in the country’s minority Shiite Hazara community. IS, which declared war on Afghanistan’s Shiites nearly two years ago and has claimed responsibility for many attacks targeting them in the past, said in a statement that a Pakistani IS fighter seeking martyrdom targeted a large Shiite gathering.”
Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted that the Islamic State not only claimed responsibility for the attack, but lied about the number of casualties:
#ISIS cont’s to ravage the Shi’ite community in the #Afghanistan capital #Kabul – claiming yesterday’s devastating suicide bombing at a wedding that resulted in a casualty count (per officials) of 63 killed and 180 wounded. IS still lies – claiming 400 k&w [killed and wounded].
Mirwais Alani, the groom, told TOLO News, “I was supposed to return happy, but within span of two hours, they devastated my whole life. They devastated my life within seconds. … We had done nothing wrong to anyone, but our lives were devastated.”
TOLO adds that despite the horrific indecent in which bride Roeena’s 11-year-old brother was killed, the couple were still married.
Hussain Ali is the hall’s owner and he confirmed a guest list of around 1,200, a mix of Sunnis and Shiites.
Ali detailed a horrific scene: “We have informed the police to come and collect them,” he said, referring to the body parts (hands were mention in particular), “strewn with broken glass, pieces of furniture and victims’ shoes.”
photo/ Etereuti via pixabay
Ashraf Ghani, president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, sent out several tweets condemning the attack, offering condolences to the wounded and their families, and assigning a portion of the blame to the Taliban:
I strongly condemn the inhumane attack on the wedding hall in Kabul last night. My top priority for now is to reach out to the families of victims of this barbaric attack. On behalf of the nation I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were martyred.
For those who are wounded, I pray for your speedy recovery. I have ordered the relevant authorities to urgently assist in managing the wounded. In response to this targeted attack I have called an extraordinary security meeting to review and prevent such security lapses.
Taliban cannot absolve themselves of blame, for they provide platform for terrorists. Today is the day of mourning, hence #StateBuilder have cancelled today’s gathering at the Loya Jirga tent.
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