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| Gunmen attack MSF-backed hospital in Kabul, witnesses report suicide bombing & civilians trapped inside | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Explosions and gunfire have been heard from inside a hospital in western Kabul, where Doctors Without Borders (MSF) operates a maternity ward. Medical staff are said to be trapped inside as the battle rages on. | Explosions and gunfire have been heard from inside a hospital in western Kabul, where Doctors Without Borders (MSF) operates a maternity ward. Medical staff are said to be trapped inside as the battle rages on. |
| The 100-bed hospital is located in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of the Afghan capital. At least two powerful explosions have been heard at the scene, TOLO News reported. | The 100-bed hospital is located in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of the Afghan capital. At least two powerful explosions have been heard at the scene, TOLO News reported. |
| The Afghan Interior Ministry said a special police unit has arrived at the scene. Security troops have encircled the site, media reports said. | |
| Seventy-two people have been evacuated from the compound as the police troops “are trying to clear the clinic,” a spokesman for the ministry told journalists. A deputy health minister said eight people have been taken to other hospitals with injuries received in the attack. There are children among the victims, the official said. | |
| The identity of the gunmen remains unknown. The Taliban militant group has denied any involvement in the attack on the hospital, leading to speculation that the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) must be behind it. | |
| IS has claimed credit for several high-profile attacks in Afghanistan recent months, including one targeting a Sikh temple in March. The Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood is home to many Hazaras, members of a predominantly Shia ethnic minority. IS, a Sunni fundamentalist group, often targets Shiites. | |
| Some witnesses said the attack started with at least one suicide bomber entering the hospital premises and setting off an explosion. The number of attackers remains unclear, with some reports saying there were at least three men wearing military uniforms who stormed the compound shooting guns and throwing grenades. | |
| The attackers were reportedly trying to get inside a guest house where foreigner personnel of the hospital stay. Some people may still be trapped inside the facility. | |
| MSF has been providing support to the government-run Dasht-e-Barchi hospital to operate a maternal care ward. The organization says it’s the only place in the poor neighborhood, with a population of over one million, capable of dealing with emergency and complicated deliveries. | MSF has been providing support to the government-run Dasht-e-Barchi hospital to operate a maternal care ward. The organization says it’s the only place in the poor neighborhood, with a population of over one million, capable of dealing with emergency and complicated deliveries. |
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