In one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan this year, 14 civilians were killed in a terrorist assault in a Shiite-majority area of the country. The Taliban confirmed the incident on Friday, (13 September), stating that the attack occurred the previous day. The civilians were traveling between the provinces of Ghor and Daikundi, both known for their sizable Shiite communities when terrorists ambushed them.
The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the attack even before the Taliban officially acknowledged the shootings. According to IS, the assault was carried out using a machine gun, though further details regarding the exact nature of the attack have yet to be fully verified by Afghan authorities.
This attack comes amid ongoing sectarian violence in Afghanistan, where the Shiite minority has frequently been targeted by Sunni extremist groups, such as IS, even under the Taliban’s rule. Despite the Taliban’s claims of improved security since their takeover of the country in August 2021, the resurgence of IS attacks, especially against Shiite communities, remains a pressing issue.
Taliban officials condemned the attack, stating that investigations were underway to capture those responsible. Security in Shiite-majority areas, particularly during travel, has been a growing concern due to frequent ambushes and violence from militant groups.
No specific time for the attack was disclosed, and it remains unclear how the terrorists managed to infiltrate the area. This incident adds to a series of violent events that have destabilized parts of central Afghanistan, where IS maintains a presence despite efforts by the Taliban to crack down on the group.
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