Several assassins have attacked a hotel in the Afghan capital Kabul. As the spokesman for the militant Islamist Taliban, Sabihullah Mujahid, reported on Monday, three attackers were killed.
In addition, two foreign hotel guests were injured when they jumped out of the window to escape. However, a local hospital puts the number of victims much higher: According to this, 21 patients were admitted after the attack, three of whom were already dead.
As the German Press Agency learned from circles of the ruling Taliban, assassins equipped with explosive vests tried to storm the hotel in the Schar-e Nau district with weapons on Monday afternoon local time. Local media reported gunshots and explosions; eyewitnesses also confirmed this to the dpa. The hotel, which mainly accommodates Chinese, was then surrounded by Taliban security forces, according to eyewitnesses.
Videos shared among journalists and on social media are said to show the hotel on fire, as well as people jumping from hotel rooms from great heights. The images could not be verified at first. The Chinese ambassador only met with the Taliban on Sunday and asked them to ensure the security of Chinese diplomats in Kabul.
At first, no one claimed responsibility for the incident. However, since the Taliban took power in August 2021, the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia has stepped up its attacks on civilians, including foreign nationals. Earlier this month, shots were fired at the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, injuring a security guard. In September this year, six people were killed in an attack on the Russian embassy. IS claimed responsibility for both incidents.
