Suicide Bomber in Kabul Kills 5, Near the U.S. Embassy

A suicide bomber in Afghanistan killed five people and wounded at least 20 others, near the U.S. embassy in Kabul on October 31^st. The area which the attack occurred was in a “Green Zone” within an area which held many diplomatic offices.  The bomber was believed to be a young as 12 wearing a suicide vest, and reportedly carried out the attack on foot. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State.

Reportedly the bomber “made it through the first checkpoint but was stopped at the second checkpoint and detonated” said an Afghan ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri.

The specific target of the attack was not clear, however, the area has multiple foreign embassies, as well as the Afghan Defense Ministry department, and several private businesses.

It was the first attack targeting the Afghan capital’s “Green Zone” since a massive truck bomb  drove through the area and detonated on May 31^st, which killed at least 150 and wounded 300 others.  That attack was believed to be carried out by the Haqqani network, a Taliban group which operates out of Pakistan, and prompted authorities to strengthen protection at the checkpoints.

Following the attack, the Afghan government installed scanning machines, truck barriers and dozens of checkpoints to prevent terrorists from reaching the diplomatic and downtown areas.

The increase security has worked in some regards because earlier in October, the Kabul police stopped a truck which was carrying almost 6,000 pounds of explosives and averted a potentially deadly blast.

However, even with increased security several other attacks occurred in October, which included two separate mosque attacks on October 19^th which combined killed more than 60 people killed and dozens of others. One of the attacks was on a Sunni mosque and was never claimed by the Islamic State or the Taliban, but the other attack on the Shia Mosque was claimed by the Islamic State.  Additionally, on October 21^st a Taliban suicide bomber killed 15 Afghan Army cadets targeting a bus they were driving in through Kabul.

Despite security precautions, the Islamic State and the Taliban have increased the amount of territory they influence in Afghanistan. As of August 2017, the Taliban controls 13 districts and influences 42 of Afghanistan’s 407.  The Afghan government controls 74 and influences 157. However, there are many contested between the two. The Islamic State influences significantly less territory than the Taliban, however, their presence is mostly spread out through the eastern Nangarhar province.

President Trump on August 21st made a speech on the 16 years of American involvement in Afghanistan, and additionally on October 23^rd Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan to discuss  strategies with South Asian  leaders.

Despite the proclaimed U.S. shift in strategy  there’s been no significant change in the number of attacks from either  the Islamic State or the Taliban. It is unlikely that either group will be deterred or interested in engaging in negotiations. Even with the Afghan Defense Ministry’s increased security at checkpoints, attacks will still get through, as long as terror groups have substantial territory in which to plan and prepare attacks.