2022 Kabul hotel attack

On 12 December 2022, insurgents attacked a hotel popular with foreigners in Kabul, Afghanistan.[1][2] At least 3 civilians were killed. 18 others, including foreigners, are reported to be among those injured.[3][1] Islamic State – Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack.[4]

2022 Kabul hotel attack
Part of the Islamic State–Taliban conflict
Kabul is located in Afghanistan
Kabul
Kabul
Kabul (Afghanistan)
LocationKabul, Afghanistan
Date12 December 2022 (2022-12-12)
14:30 (AFT)
TargetLongan Hotel
Attack type
Bombing, gun attack, and arson
WeaponsFirearms and explosives
Deaths6 (including 1 assailant)
Injured18
VictimsAfghan and foreign civilians, Taliban soldiers
Perpetrator Islamic State – Khorasan Province
Defender Afghanistan
MotiveOpposition to Taliban cooperation with China

Background

The Islamic State–Taliban conflict began in 2015; since then they have often attacked Kabul. In September 2022, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Russian Embassy in Kabul, killing two Russian diplomats. In early December, gunmen attacked the Pakistani ambassador at his embassy compound in Kabul, wounding a Pakistani guard.[5] On 11 December, Chinese ambassador to Afghanistan Wang Yu met Afghan Deputy Foreign minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai to discuss security matters, and called on the Taliban "to pay more attention to the security of the Chinese Embassy in Kabul."[3][5]

Attack

Around 14:30 local time on 12 December 2022, insurgents attacked the Kabul Longan Hotel in Afghanistan.[3] Residents reported hearing a powerful explosion followed by gunfire.[3]

Victims

3 people were killed and 18 injured.[3][6] Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mojahid confirmed the attack ended with all three gunmen killed, and hotel guests were evacuated.[6] Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that five Chinese nationals were among the injured.[6][7]

Responsibility

On 13 December 2022, jihadist group Islamic State-Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack in a Telegram post.[8] The IS statement claimed the hotel was attacked because the hotel is frequented by diplomats and is owned by "communist China" . The Islamic State has a history of opposition to the Chinese government in relation to the Uyghur Muslim genocide, and has been critical of the Taliban for its willingness to cooperate with China. The statement claimed the attackers detonated pre-planted explosives and set fire to the building.[9][10]

See also

References
  1. "Kabul hotel attack ends as three gunmen killed". Pakistan Today. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  2. Rai, Arpan (12 December 2022). "Explosion, gunshots heard in Kabul as gunmen attack hotel housing foreigners". The Independent. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  3. "Kabul hotel attack ends as three gunmen killed; two foreigners injured". Reuters. 12 December 2022. Archived from the original on 12 January 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  4. Mukhtar, Ahmad (13 December 2022). "Kabul hotel used by China nationals attacked as perceived allies of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are targeted". CBS News. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  5. Mukhtar, Ahmad (13 December 2022). "Kabul hotel used by China nationals attacked as perceived allies of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are targeted". CBS News. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  6. Popalzai, Ehsan; Yeung, Jessie (13 December 2022). "3 dead and foreign nationals injured after gunmen attack Kabul hotel". CNN. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  7. Baptista, Eduardo (13 December 2022). Heavens, Andrew (ed.). "Five Chinese nationals were wounded in Kabul hotel attack - Chinese foreign ministry". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 January 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2022.
  8. Gul, Ayaz (13 December 2022). "China Says Kabul Hotel Attack Injured 5 Chinese Nationals". VOA.
  9. Ma, Haiyun (19 October 2022). "Afghan Militants Have China in Their Crosshairs". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  10. Faiez, Rahim (13 December 2022). "China urges citizens to leave Afghanistan after Kabul attack". Associated Press. Islamabad, Pakistan. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

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