Afghanistan: Taliban kill six Islamic State members in raid

The Taliban killed six members of the Islamic State militant group during an overnight raid in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul. The insurgent group said that those who were killed were involved in the recent bombings in the country.

A spokesperson for the Taliban said Saturday that the group’s security forces killed six members of the Islamic State militant group during an overnight operation in Kabul. The members that were killed in their hideout were said to be involved in two major bombings in Afghanistan, one in a city mosque and the bombing in a tutoring facility that killed dozens of female students.

“They were the attackers of the Wazir Akbar Khan mosque and also…of Kaaj Institute,” said spokesman Ahmadi, who added that one Taliban security member was also killed during the raid.

The bombing at the institute took place on September 30, in which 53 people were killed. Most of the fatalities were girls and young women. Seven days prior, on September 23, around seven people were killed and 40 people were injured near a mosque in Wazir Akbar Khan – a heavily fortified neighborhood that was once known as the “Green Zone” where foreign embassies and force bases were located.

Since retaking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban said they are focused on securing the country after a nearly-20-year long conflict. However, with the blasts and attacks in recent months this year, the United Nations said security in Afghanistan has been deteriorating.

Last week, Germany has begun a new program to admit Afghan refugees who fled the country last year in fear of the Taliban. The program aims to admit Afghans who are most vulnerable under Taliban rule, with Berlin pledging to take in around 38,000 and around 26,000 have already arrived in Germany.

The program will admit 1,000 Afghans a month and their family members. It will target Afghans who are particularly exposed to advocacies such as women’s rights, and human rights, as well as those at risk for working in the judiciary, politics, media, education, culture, sports, or science. Afghans who have also experienced violence or persecution because of gender, sexual orientation, or religion may also benefit from the program.