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Afghanistan Kabul mosque suicide attack kills dozens Afghanistan Kabul mosque suicide attack kills dozens
(35 minutes later)
A suicide bomber has killed at least 27 people at a Shia Muslim mosque in the Afghan capital Kabul, police say.A suicide bomber has killed at least 27 people at a Shia Muslim mosque in the Afghan capital Kabul, police say.
At least 35 more people were wounded in the blast at the Baqir ul Olum mosque in the west of the city.At least 35 more people were wounded in the blast at the Baqir ul Olum mosque in the west of the city.
The attack came as worshippers gathered for a religious ceremony.The attack came as worshippers gathered for a religious ceremony.
It is not yet clear who was behind the blast but Afghanistan's Shia have faced a series of sectarian attacks in recent months claimed by the Islamic State (IS) Sunni Muslim militant group.It is not yet clear who was behind the blast but Afghanistan's Shia have faced a series of sectarian attacks in recent months claimed by the Islamic State (IS) Sunni Muslim militant group.
Monday's bombing took place during a service to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson and Shia martyr.Monday's bombing took place during a service to commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson and Shia martyr.
Sunnis and Shia: Islam's ancient schismSunnis and Shia: Islam's ancient schism
Officials said the attacker was on foot and blew himself up among crowds inside the building. Eyewitnesses said the service was almost over when the bomb was detonated.Officials said the attacker was on foot and blew himself up among crowds inside the building. Eyewitnesses said the service was almost over when the bomb was detonated.
"I was inside the mosque and the Mullah was reading the prayer," Ewaz Ali, 50, who suffered minor injuries, told the Associated Press news agency."I was inside the mosque and the Mullah was reading the prayer," Ewaz Ali, 50, who suffered minor injuries, told the Associated Press news agency.
"Suddenly a huge explosion happened, then everywhere was dark.""Suddenly a huge explosion happened, then everywhere was dark."
Another worshipper, Nadir Ali, told AFP news agency the blast had created a cloud of dust: "When the dust settled down, I saw the mosque was full of flesh and blood. I was injured in my waist and had to crawl out of the mosque."Another worshipper, Nadir Ali, told AFP news agency the blast had created a cloud of dust: "When the dust settled down, I saw the mosque was full of flesh and blood. I was injured in my waist and had to crawl out of the mosque."
Local reports suggested children were among the dead.Local reports suggested children were among the dead.
Shia, who make up about 15% of the population of Afghanistan, have been spared levels of sectarian violence seen in Pakistan and Iraq. There has not been a proper census for more than 40 years, but it is estimated that around 20% of the Afghan population are Shia Muslims - the rest are Sunni. Most Shia Muslims come from the Tajik and Hazara ethnic minorities.
But they have been targeted at least three times in recent months: They have been spared levels of sectarian violence seen in Pakistan and Iraq, but they have been targeted at least three times in recent months:
All three attacks were claimed by IS.All three attacks were claimed by IS.
Taliban militants were quick to distance themselves from Monday's attack.Taliban militants were quick to distance themselves from Monday's attack.
"We condemn this blast," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the BBC. "This act cannot be our work and has nothing to do with us.""We condemn this blast," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the BBC. "This act cannot be our work and has nothing to do with us."
President Ashraf Ghani called the attack an attempt "to sow seeds of discord".President Ashraf Ghani called the attack an attempt "to sow seeds of discord".
Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah urged the country not to fall victim to "enemy plots that divide us by titles".Afghan government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah urged the country not to fall victim to "enemy plots that divide us by titles".
"This attack targeted innocent civilians - including children - in a holy place," he said via Twitter. "It is a war crime and an act against Islam & humanity.""This attack targeted innocent civilians - including children - in a holy place," he said via Twitter. "It is a war crime and an act against Islam & humanity."