On Monday, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that took place at a Chinese restaurant in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of over six people. Abdul Mateen Qaani, a spokesperson for the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior, explained that this attack was executed by a person linked to ISIS-Khorasan, often referred to as ISIS-K, which is considered one of the most perilous factions of the terrorist group.
According to reports, ISIS-K has accused the Chinese government of targeting its nationals in retaliation against the Uighur Muslim minority and criticized the diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and China.
Khalid Zadran, a representative of Kabul Police Command, relayed to local media that seven individuals were killed in the blast, including six Afghans and one Chinese citizen, with several others injured. The bombing occurred around 3 PM at a noodle restaurant in Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district, co-owned by a Chinese Muslim from Xinjiang, Abdul Majeed, and his Afghan partner, Abdul Jabbar Mahmoud. Zadran noted that the explosion happened near the kitchen, but the precise cause is still under investigation.
Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated at a press conference that one Chinese citizen died and five were wounded in the attack. He offered condolences to the affected families and noted that staff from the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan had visited the injured in the hospital. Guo emphasized that China urges the Afghan government to enhance protective measures for its citizens and institutions in Afghanistan.
In light of the current security conditions in Afghanistan, he reiterated warnings for Chinese nationals, recommending they avoid traveling to the country and advising those currently in Afghanistan to heighten security measures and vacate high-risk areas at the earliest opportunity.
