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Afghan attack: Babies killed as gunmen storm maternity ward Afghan attack: Babies killed as gunmen storm Kabul maternity ward
(about 4 hours later)
Two babies and 11 mothers and nurses have been killed in a militant attack on a hospital in the Afghan capital. Two babies and 12 mothers and nurses were killed in a militant attack on a hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul on Tuesday morning.
Another 15 people, including a number of children, were injured when several gunmen attacked the Kabul hospital on Tuesday morning, officials said. Another 15 people, including a number of children, were injured in the attack by several gunmen, officials said.
Part of the hospital is run by the international medical charity, Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and some of those working there are foreigners. Meanwhile, in the east, a bombing at a funeral killed at least 24 people.
Meanwhile, in the east, an attack at a police funeral has killed at least 24. In the wake of the attacks, President Ashraf Ghani said he was ordering the resumption of offensive operations against the Taliban and other groups.
Dozens more were injured in that bomb blast and casualty numbers in both attacks could rise. It is not clear who carried out either attack. He accused the militants of ignoring repeated calls for a reduction in violence.
'Total panic' The Islamic State (IS) group said it was behind the attack on a police commander's funeral in Nangarhar, in the east of the country. It is still not clear who carried out the attack on the hospital, and the Taliban have denied any involvement.
In Kabul, locals heard two blasts, then gunfire. One doctor who fled during the assault, which began at about 10:00 local time (05:30 GMT), told the BBC about 140 people were in the hospital when the gunmen began their attack. Another doctor described to news agency AFP how "total panic" took hold as the attack unfolded. A maternity ward in the hospital is run by the international medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) and some of those working there are foreigners.
"The attackers were shooting at anyone in this hospital without any reason," vendor Ramazan Ali, who saw the attack begin, told news agency Reuters. "It's a government hospital, and a lot of people bring in their women and children for treatment." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the attack on the hospital "sheer evil" and an "unconscionable assault". In a statement he urged the Afghan government and the Taliban to co-operate to "bring the perpetrators to justice".
Afghan special forces rescued 100 women and children, including three foreigners, an official told the BBC. What happened at the hospital?
The attackers, who Reuters reported had gained access dressed as police officers, were all killed by security personnel after a battle lasting hours. The attack began at about 10:00 (05:30 GMT), and locals described hearing two blasts then gunfire. One doctor who fled during the assault told the BBC about 140 people were in the hospital when the gunmen attacked.
Images from the scene of the attack showed soldiers carrying one newborn baby to safety, swaddled in a blood-stained blanket. It is not clear if the infant had been injured. Another doctor told AFP news agency that "total panic" took hold as the assault unfolded.
The Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital has a maternity wing run by MSF. Many foreign staff live in a guesthouse behind the hospital building and a doctor who fled the building told the BBC he saw an explosion there too. Ramazan Ali, a vendor who saw the attack begin, told Reuters news agency: "The attackers were shooting at anyone in this hospital without any reason... It's a government hospital, and a lot of people bring in their women and children for treatment."
The Taliban, who signed a withdrawal agreement with the United States more than two months ago, have denied involvement in both attacks. Afghan special forces rescued 100 women and children, including three foreigners, an official told the BBC. The attackers, who reportedly had gained access dressed as police officers, were all killed by security personnel after a battle lasting hours.
However, later in the day Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the country's forces would resume offensive operations against the militant group and other insurgents in the wake of Tuesday's attacks. Images from the scene showed soldiers carrying one newborn baby to safety, swaddled in a blood-stained blanket.
"In order to provide security for public places and to thwart attacks and threats from the Taliban and other terrorist groups, I am ordering Afghan security forces to switch from an active defence mode to an offensive one and to resume their operations against the enemies," he said in a televised speech. Many foreign staff live in a guesthouse behind the Dasht-e-Barchi Hospital and a doctor who fled the building told the BBC he saw an explosion there too.
In the past, similar attacks in this mostly Shia area of the capital have been attributed to the Islamic State (IS) militant group, which has not yet issued a statement. The group's leader in South Asia and the Far East was arrested in Kabul on Tuesday, with two other high profile members, Afghan intelligence said. In the past, similar attacks in this mostly Shia area of the capital have been attributed to IS. The group's leader in South Asia and the Far East was arrested in Kabul on Tuesday, with two other high profile members, Afghan intelligence said.
In 2017, IS gunmen disguised as medical staff attacked Kabul's main military hospital, prompting widespread shock and anger and raising questions about security. The authorities later confirmed about 50 people had been killed.In 2017, IS gunmen disguised as medical staff attacked Kabul's main military hospital, prompting widespread shock and anger and raising questions about security. The authorities later confirmed about 50 people had been killed.
But the Taliban also attack hospitals. Last September, 20 people died after a truck packed with explosives was detonated by militants from the group outside a hospital in southern Zabul province.But the Taliban also attack hospitals. Last September, 20 people died after a truck packed with explosives was detonated by militants from the group outside a hospital in southern Zabul province.
In the eastern province of Nangarhar, a member of the provincial council was among those killed in the attack on Tuesday on the funeral procession of a local police commander. On TV, Mr Ghani said: "In order to provide security for public places and to thwart attacks and threats from the Taliban and other terrorist groups, I'm ordering Afghan security forces to switch from an active defence mode to an offensive one and to resume their operations against the enemies."
According to survivors, thousands of people had gathered for the funeral. The bomb detonated about half-way through. Fragile hope shaken
Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor, said another 68 people were injured. Even in a country which has seen the worst of the worst, this savage attack on newborn babies and their mothers has shocked, and shaken fragile hope this would be the year Afghanistan would finally start to turn towards peace.
Zabat Amir Mohammad, a former member of the Nangarhar provincial council, told local news outlet Sharq TV that "it was difficult to identify" the bodies among the wounded and killed. Images of special forces in bulky body armour, carrying infants to safety, will remain long in the memory of those who have repeatedly called for a ceasefire - especially when Afghans are battling another deadly enemy in Covid-19.
The Taliban have denied carrying out the attack, although it remains unclear who was behind it and the group have denied responsibility in the past for attacks they are accused of. Despite Taliban denials that this ghastly attack was their work, President Ghani's denunciation reflects the anger and frustration of many. Some worry that groups like Islamic State, trying to drive an even greater wedge between Taliban and the government, have also killed for now what were slow uncertain steps toward peace talks.
In northern Balkh province, at least 10 people have been killed and as many others injured in an air strike by US forces, reports say. And for those who have never trusted the Taliban's commitment, this latest attack solidifies their resolve to keep fighting.
Local residents and the Taliban claim the victims were all civilians. But the Afghan Defence Ministry said all those killed were militants. What happened at the funeral?
Since the February peace deal, talks have broken down over a prisoner swap agreed between the US and the Taliban and violence has continued unabated. IS were not part of the negotiations. According to survivors, thousands of people had gathered for the local police commander's funeral, and the bomb detonated about half-way through. Ataullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the governor, said 68 people were injured.
A member of the provincial council was among the at least 24 killed.
Tuesday's attacks were widely condemned by countries around the world and human rights groups, with Amnesty International saying: "The unconscionable war crimes in Afghanistan today... must awaken the world to the horrors civilians continue to face."
On Twitter, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "I'm horrified by the appalling terrorist attacks in Afghanistan today - including on a maternity hospital. Targeting mothers, their newborns and medical staff is despicable."
Meanwhile, in northern Balkh province, at least 10 people were killed and many others injured in an air strike by US forces, reports said. Residents and the Taliban claimed the victims were all civilians, but the Afghan Defence Ministry said all those killed were militants.
What's going on with Afghan peace talks?
Since a February troop withdrawal agreement signed between the US and the Taliban, talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban have broken down over a prisoner swap and violence has continued unabated.
The agreement was aimed at ending more than 18 years of war since US-led forces ousted the Taliban from power following the 9/11 attacks on the US, whose mastermind Osama Bin Laden had been given sanctuary by the hardline Islamist group.The agreement was aimed at ending more than 18 years of war since US-led forces ousted the Taliban from power following the 9/11 attacks on the US, whose mastermind Osama Bin Laden had been given sanctuary by the hardline Islamist group.
Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict. Many more have been injured or displaced from their homes.Tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict. Many more have been injured or displaced from their homes.