2017 attack on the Iraqi embassy in Kabul

On 31 July 2017, a militant of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant blew himself up at the gate of the Iraqi embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, followed by heavy firing by three other members of same group. Afghan security forces defended the embassy and a conflict started which lasted for four hours. Two members of Iraqi embassy were killed while three of the security officials were injured according to Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Najib Danish. On the other hand, all the four attackers were killed. ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack.

2017 attack on Iraqi embassy in Kabul
Part of War in Afghanistan (2015–present)
Iraqi Embassy
Iraqi Embassy (Kabul)
Iraqi Embassy
Iraqi Embassy (Afghanistan)
LocationIraqi embassy, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°31′57.56″N 69°9′47.76″E
DateJuly 31, 2017
11:30 (UTC+04:30)
TargetIraqi Ambassadors
Attack type
Suicide bombing, Shooting
WeaponsExplosive belt, Assault rifle
Deaths6 (2 Iraqi Embassy members, 4 perpetrators)
Injured3 (Security officials)
PerpetratorISIL
No. of participants
4
DefendersAfghan Special forces, Marinejegerkommandoen
MotiveRetaliation of Battle of Mosul

Background

Earlier that month, Iraq had declared victory over Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Battle of Mosul.[1] The Iraq Embassy had called reporters to its offices in Kabul to express concerns that the local ISIL affiliate might stage large-scale attacks elsewhere to draw away attention from the militant group's losses in Mosul.[2]

Attack

At around 11:30 am (UTC + 04:30), a suicide bomber blew himself up in a car at the gate of Iraqi embassy.[3] Subsequently, three militants entered embassy and started firing.[4] Afghan special forces were called to engage the attackers. Norwegian special forces from Marinejegerkommandoen assisted the Afghan forces as they were fighting back the terrorist attack.[5] An hour later residents reported hearing another explosion.[2] After four hours of gun battle, all three of the attackers were killed while two soldiers and a policeman were injured.[6] Two Afghan members of embassy, a man and a woman, were killed. No Iraqi staff were hurt as they were taken to safe place according to the Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Najib Danish.[7]

Reactions

Afghanistan's minister of foreign affairs, Salahuddin Rabbani, spoke to his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, by phone and assured him that such attacks will not change Kabul and Baghdad's commitment to fighting terrorism. Rabbani further said that Kabul is committed to maintaining the safety of Iraqi diplomats.[8] Afghanistan's Interior Minister, Najib Danish condemned the attack calling it "unislamic and inhuman".[2] The United Nation Security Council condemned the attack in a statement saying, "The Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack against the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Kabul, Afghanistan, on 31 July 2017, which resulted in the death of two Afghan civilian employees inside the Embassy and the injury of a police officer, for which local affiliates of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh) have claimed responsibility."[9]

Perpetrator

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility of the attack through their channel Ammaq.[10]

See also
  • War in Afghanistan (2015–present)

References
  1. "Iraq declear victory over Islamic State in Mosul". The Guardian. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. "Kabul attack: Isis claim car bombing and gunmen assault on Iraqi embassy in the Afghanistan capital". The Independent. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. Ben Westcott, Ehsan Popalzai (31 July 2017). "Bomb triggers battle at Iraq Embassy in Kabul; 2 workers die". CNN. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. "ISIS targets Iraq Embassy in Kabul; all 4 attackers killed". Military Times. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  5. "Norske styrker bisto den afghanske kontraterrorenheten under terror i Kabul". VG (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 2017-10-30. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  6. Jawad Sukhanyar (31 July 2017). "2 Die in Attack on Iraqi Embassy in Kabul by Islamic State". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  7. "Kabul attack: Gun battle and suicide bombing in Afghan capital". BBC News. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. "Iraqi Delegation to Investigate Embassy Attack". Tolo News. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  9. "UN Security Council condemns attack on Iraq's Kabul embassy". Rudaw. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-08-01. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  10. "ISIL claims attack on Iraqi embassy in Kabul". Al Jazeera. 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
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