Two Suicide Bomb Attacks Occur in Afghanistan

On June 30, the Taliban detonated a suicide car bomb near a NATO convoy in Kabul, Afghanistan. One civilian died and over twenty were injured; five are in serious condition. Two US soldiers were also injured in the attack.

The attack, which occurred around 1:20pm on the Kabul airport road near the American Embassy, badly damaged two of the convoy’s armored vehicles. It was timed to happen during early afternoon prayers and at the same time that many people were returning home from work due to shortened workdays during Ramadan.

The Taliban claimed the attack over Twitter and in a text message sent to the Associated Press.

Hours before the attack in Kabul, also on June 30, another suicide bomber detonated an explosive-laden vehicle outside of the police headquarters in Lashkar Gar, the provincial capital of Helmand, a southern province. After the car exploded, two other militants tried to enter the headquarters. One set off more explosives strapped to his body, and the third was killed by security forces.

The assault on the NATO convoy on June 30 was the second major instance of Taliban violence in Kabul during Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, this year. It came a week after the Taliban tried to attack the Parliament in Kabul on June 22. That attack came just before the new defense minister, Mohammad Masoom Stanikzai, was voted in. Also on June 22, Taliban forces threatened to capture the city of Kunduz but were pushed back by the Afghan military.

Prior to the beginning of Ramadan, the Afghanistan Islamic Scholars’ Shura requested a ceasefire, asking the Taliban to consider turning to a peaceful delivery of their anti-government message. The Taliban rejected the request. Although news has surfaced that the Taliban is engaging in informal peace talks with the Afghan government, the group has remained violent, attacking government targets with disregard for civilian casualties. Though the US is planning to withdraw from Afghanistan, a complete drawdown may pave the way for the Taliban to escalate its use of violent tactics, as Afghan troops are having difficulties combatting the group without US assistance. The US presence provides foundational support to a struggling military. If the US exits as planned, the Afghan government’s capacity to stand up to the Taliban will be severely diminished, leading to a likely Taliban takeover of the country.