The terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on a hotel in the Afghan capital Kabul. This was announced by the Site Intelligence Group, which specializes in online propaganda by extremists. Accordingly, the attack was primarily aimed at Chinese people staying in the hotel.
The information on the number of victims differed widely. According to the website, IS claims to have killed or injured 30 people, according to the Taliban ruling in Afghanistan, three attackers were killed and two foreign guests who were fleeing in panic were injured when they jumped out of the hotel windows. A local hospital said 21 patients had been 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. According to eyewitnesses, the hotel was then surrounded by Taliban security forces.
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.
IS has stepped up attacks since the Taliban took power
Both the IS and the militant Islamist Taliban, who have ruled Afghanistan since August last year, belong to Sunni Islam. However, both are enemies of each other, which is why the representations of both sides after attacks such as those on the hotel often diverge in the struggle for interpretation sovereignty.
ISIS has increased its attacks on civilians, including foreign nationals, in Afghanistan since the Taliban took power. Earlier this month, shots were fired at the Pakistani embassy in Kabul, injuring a security guard. In September, six people were killed in an attack on the Russian embassy. IS claimed responsibility for both acts.
