November 2016 Kabul suicide bombing

November 2016 Kabul suicide bombing
Part of War in Afghanistan
Location	Baqer-ul Ulom mosque, Kabul, Afghanistan
Date	21 November 2016 01:00 pm (UTC+04:30)
Target	Shia mosque
Attack type	Suicide bombing
Weapons	Bomb
Deaths	32 [1]
Non-fatal injuries	80
Perpetrators	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province
Motive	Sunni fundamentalism Anti-Shi'ism

The November 2016 Kabul suicide bombing occurred on 21 November 2016.^[2][3] At least 32 people have been killed and above 80 were injured in a suicide bombing at a Kabul Shia mosque "Baqir-ul-Olum".^[4] People including women and children were commemorating Arba'een rituals.^[5] The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province claimed responsibility for the attack.^[6] It was just one in a string of major attacks in Kabul during 2016, and the third to be claimed by ISIL.

Reactions

Domestic

President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the attack by calling the attack on the mosque an unforgivable and a major crime committed by the enemies of the country. He also further added that attacks on sacred and religious sites are a sign of clear enmity with Islam and the Afghan people.^[7]

Supranational bodies

•  NATO - "We offer our condolences to the families of the innocent men, women and children killed and wounded in today’s attack. We will continue to stand with our Afghan partners and do everything possible to secure a peaceful, stable Afghanistan,” commander of the Resolute Support Mission, Gen. John Nicholson said in a statement.
•  United Nations - "This appalling attack on worshippers is an atrocity, UNAMA expresses its revulsion at this latest effort by extremists to stoke sectarian violence in Afghanistan,” said Pernille Kardel, the UN deputy special representative for Afghanistan said. She also added that “Religious and ethnic tolerance are values the Afghan people hold strong, and I urge the Afghan authorities to do everything possible to defend Afghans of all faiths.”^[8]

Countries

•  United States - Ned Price, spokesman of the National Security Council at the White House strongly condemning the terrorist attack by saying "This cowardly attack was clearly intended to stoke sectarian tensions in Afghanistan". He also added that "We extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this attack and fully support efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The United States and our international partners remain committed to the people and Government of Afghanistan as we work together to build a more stable and prosperous peaceful Afghanistan".^[9]
•  Pakistan - The government of Pakistan strongly condemns the suicide attack at the Baqir-ul-Ulum Mosque in Kabul that has led to loss of a number of precious lives and left many injured," the foreign ministry said in a statement. It also added that "Pakistan conveys profound condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and prayers for early recovery of the injured".^[10]
•  India - Prime minister Narendra Modi condemned the terror attack by saying "For regional peace and security, all sanctuaries, safe havens and support to such terrorists must end". We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack today on a Shia shrine in Kabul & condole loss of innocent lives, he tweeted.^[11]

See also

• List of Islamist terrorist attacks
• February 2016 Kabul bombing
• April 2016 Kabul attack
• July 2016 Kabul bombing
• August 2016 Kabul attack
• September 2016 Kabul attacks
• List of wars and battles involving ISIL
• List of terrorist attacks in Kabul
• List of terrorist incidents in November 2016
• List of terrorist incidents linked to ISIL
• Military intervention against ISIL
• Timeline of ISIL-related events (2016)

References

1. "27 die in Kabul suicide attack". BBC News. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
2. "Deaths as suicide bomber attacks Shia mosque in Kabul". Retrieved 21 November 2016.
3. Faridullah.Sahil. "Death Toll Rises To 27 In Kabul Mosque Bombing". Retrieved 21 November 2016.
4. "Suicide bomber kills dozens at Shi'ite mosque in Kabul". 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016 – via Reuters.
5. Ehsan Popalzai and Mohammed Tawfeeq (November 21, 2016). "Afghanistan mosque attack: 30 dead, ISIS claims responsibility". CNN. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
6. "Suicide Bomber Kills Dozens at Shi'ite Mosque in Kabul". Reuters. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016 – via The New York Times.
7. "Ghani: Kabul attack an attempt spark discord among people".
8. "NATO, UNAMA condemn Kabul bombing as death toll rises to 32".
9. "US strongly condemns Kabul mosque bombing".
10. "Pakistan condemns suicide attack in Kabul mosque".
11. "PM Modi condemns terror attack on Kabul mosque".