Bomb Attack on Afghan Defense Minister's Residence... Over 20 Casualties

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] At least four people were killed and more than 20 injured in a suicide bombing and subsequent bombing at the residence of the Defense Minister in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. As the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan nears completion, security has become extremely unstable, and with the Taliban's intensified offensives, terrorist attacks have been increasing.

According to foreign media including AFP on the 3rd (local time), a suicide bombing targeted the residence of the Afghan Defense Minister. Multiple bombings and shootings occurred simultaneously in the Green Zone (a high-security area) around the residence and throughout Kabul, resulting in four deaths and over 20 injuries.

Afghan Defense Minister Misamila Khan was not at the residence at the time of the incident and was unharmed, AFP reported. The Afghan government stated that government forces immediately counterattacked and killed all the terrorists, and hundreds of residents evacuated the scene. The Green Zone houses residences of high-ranking government officials and foreign embassies, including the United States, raising concerns about further attacks.

The perpetrator behind the attack has not yet been identified, but the U.S. government issued a statement implying the Taliban's involvement. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, condemned the attack during a press briefing and urged, "We call on the Taliban and all parties to immediately cease violence."

In Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, as the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan has mostly been completed recently, a series of large and small terrorist attacks have occurred. The Taliban has taken control of more than half of Afghanistan and begun surrounding and attacking major cities, causing security to gradually deteriorate.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.