On Monday morning in Kabul, Afghanistan, there were several explosions near a hotel that usually hosts foreign citizens: a local police spokesman described it as a deliberate attack, carried out by unidentified “attackers”. In some videos shot on site, a large fire can be seen inside the hotel. Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said two people were injured jumping from the windows of the building to escape the blaze and three of the assailants were killed by Afghan security forces. There are no reports of deaths beyond the attackers, and there have been no claims.
A hotel in the ShahrNow area of Kabul was attacked by attackers, where it is said that Chinese citizens were stationed. pic.twitter.com/ep7EHHMHNi
— Tajuden Soroush (@TajudenSoroush) December 12, 2022
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, they have said they have improved security in the country, but attacks by the ISIS-affiliated terrorist group operating in Afghanistan, ISIS-K, have increased.
It is not clear how many people were in the hotel at the time of the explosion, but according to initial information they are mainly of Chinese nationality. China has never officially recognized the Taliban government, like most of the international community, but it is one of the few countries to have maintained stable relations and a diplomatic presence in the country even after their return to power.
