Islamic State claimed responsibility Sunday for the attack this week on a Shiite cultural center in the northern Afghan province of Balkh, where a press awards ceremony was being held.
In the attack at the Tabayan cultural center, one security guard was killed and nearly 20 people, mostly reporters, were wounded, according to Taliban officials. However, a media outlet associated with the cultural center, Avapress, reported three dead and 30 wounded, according to DPA agency.
The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the attack and called for the protection of Afghan reporters who, according to them, show immense courage.
The Afghan affiliate of the jihadist organization has been targeting the country’s Shiite and Hazara minority for years, especially taking advantage of the security gaps opened up by the Taliban reconquest of the country. In fact, this is not the first attack against a branch of Tabayan — an organization backed by Iran, since in 2017 they attacked the headquarters in the capital, Kabul, leaving around half a hundred dead.
In the past week, Balkh province has been the site of several attacks. Islamic State on Thursday claimed responsibility for the suicide attack against the governor of Balkh province, Daud Muzmal, who was killed in an explosion during a meeting in his provincial office.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
