ISLAMABAD: China on Tuesday advised its citizens in Afghanistan to leave the country “as soon as possible”, following a coordinated attack by Islamic State fighters the previous day on a hotel Chinese-owned in the heart of Kabul.
China’s advice seems to be an obstacle for The Taliban Rulers of Afghanistan those seeking foreign investment in the hope of stemming the downward spiral of the Afghan economy since they took over the country more than a year ago.
Islamic State militant group – a main opponent of Taliban – claimed responsibility for Monday afternoon’s attack on the Kabul Longan hotel, which killed three assailants and injured at least two hotel guests when they tried to escape by jumping out of windows.
Pillars of smoke rose from a 10-story building in the central neighborhood of Shar-e Naw, according to images posted on social media when the attack took place. Residents reported explosions and gunfire.
The Taliban quickly arrived in the area and blocked all roads leading to the site. Khalid Zadran, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Kabul police chief, said the attack lasted several hours, followed by a cleanup operation.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the attack “serious in nature” and said China was “deeply shocked”.
Beijing demanded a “thorough investigation” and urged the Taliban government to “take resolute and strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, organizations and projects in Afghanistan.” Mr. Wang said.
The Chinese embassy in Kabul sent its team to the scene to help rescue, treat and provide accommodation to the victims of the attack, Wang added.
“Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again advises Chinese nationals and organizations in Afghanistan to evacuate from Afghanistan as soon as possible,” Wang said.
The Taliban swept through the country in August 2021, taking power as US and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their final withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
Since their takeover, the international community has balked at extending official recognition to former insurgents who have broken their promise to pursue a more moderate path forward, including including reopening schools for girls beyond sixth grade and protecting minority rights.
The Taliban government also recently released statements saying it intends to enforce Islamic law, or Sharia, like it was when the former Taliban ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s.
In recent weeks, the Taliban have repeatedly carried out public executions and beatings of people convicted by Taliban courts of crimes such as murder and adultery.
China has economic and mining interests in the country, although people familiar with previous negotiations between the Taliban and Chinese officials say Beijing wants the Taliban’s pledges to deter rivals. China’s Uighur leaders set up operations in Afghanistan.
Chinese companies, with strong government backing, have sought to pursue opportunities to exploit Afghanistan’s vast, undeveloped resource deposits, particularly the alleged Mes Aynak mine. largest copper in the world.
In October, the government spokesman appointed by the Taliban Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized that China is an important part of the economic development of Afghanistan. China also reveals its will to play a leadership role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US forces – Chinese Foreign Minister King conference at a recent regional conference led calls for the United States to release Afghan assets held abroad and end sanctions against the Taliban government.
There was no word on the identities of the Chinese guests injured at the Kabul hotel or what they were doing in Afghanistan.
The IS statement, carried out by one of the militant Telegram channels used by the group, said two members of the group targeted the hotel because it regularly houses diplomats and is owned by the group. “Communist China”.
It also claimed that IS assailants detonated two bags of explosives left in the hotel earlier, including one in the main lobby, and set fire to part of the hotel. The militant group did not provide evidence for its claims.
There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties. Taliban officials said three attackers were killed; The IS statement said only two of its members were involved in the attack, identifying them by name and posting their photos. According to Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government, two foreign residents were injured when they jumped out of a hotel window.
However, the Emergency Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet on Monday that it had received 21 casualties, including the bodies of three.
The regional branch of IS – known as Islamic State in Khorasan province – has increased attacks since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.
China’s advice seems to be an obstacle for The Taliban Rulers of Afghanistan those seeking foreign investment in the hope of stemming the downward spiral of the Afghan economy since they took over the country more than a year ago.
Islamic State militant group – a main opponent of Taliban – claimed responsibility for Monday afternoon’s attack on the Kabul Longan hotel, which killed three assailants and injured at least two hotel guests when they tried to escape by jumping out of windows.
Pillars of smoke rose from a 10-story building in the central neighborhood of Shar-e Naw, according to images posted on social media when the attack took place. Residents reported explosions and gunfire.
The Taliban quickly arrived in the area and blocked all roads leading to the site. Khalid Zadran, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Kabul police chief, said the attack lasted several hours, followed by a cleanup operation.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin called the attack “serious in nature” and said China was “deeply shocked”.
Beijing demanded a “thorough investigation” and urged the Taliban government to “take resolute and strong measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, organizations and projects in Afghanistan.” Mr. Wang said.
The Chinese embassy in Kabul sent its team to the scene to help rescue, treat and provide accommodation to the victims of the attack, Wang added.
“Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again advises Chinese nationals and organizations in Afghanistan to evacuate from Afghanistan as soon as possible,” Wang said.
The Taliban swept through the country in August 2021, taking power as US and NATO forces were in the final weeks of their final withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
Since their takeover, the international community has balked at extending official recognition to former insurgents who have broken their promise to pursue a more moderate path forward, including including reopening schools for girls beyond sixth grade and protecting minority rights.
The Taliban government also recently released statements saying it intends to enforce Islamic law, or Sharia, like it was when the former Taliban ruled Afghanistan in the late 1990s.
In recent weeks, the Taliban have repeatedly carried out public executions and beatings of people convicted by Taliban courts of crimes such as murder and adultery.
China has economic and mining interests in the country, although people familiar with previous negotiations between the Taliban and Chinese officials say Beijing wants the Taliban’s pledges to deter rivals. China’s Uighur leaders set up operations in Afghanistan.
Chinese companies, with strong government backing, have sought to pursue opportunities to exploit Afghanistan’s vast, undeveloped resource deposits, particularly the alleged Mes Aynak mine. largest copper in the world.
In October, the government spokesman appointed by the Taliban Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized that China is an important part of the economic development of Afghanistan. China also reveals its will to play a leadership role in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US forces – Chinese Foreign Minister King conference at a recent regional conference led calls for the United States to release Afghan assets held abroad and end sanctions against the Taliban government.
There was no word on the identities of the Chinese guests injured at the Kabul hotel or what they were doing in Afghanistan.
The IS statement, carried out by one of the militant Telegram channels used by the group, said two members of the group targeted the hotel because it regularly houses diplomats and is owned by the group. “Communist China”.
It also claimed that IS assailants detonated two bags of explosives left in the hotel earlier, including one in the main lobby, and set fire to part of the hotel. The militant group did not provide evidence for its claims.
There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties. Taliban officials said three attackers were killed; The IS statement said only two of its members were involved in the attack, identifying them by name and posting their photos. According to Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government, two foreign residents were injured when they jumped out of a hotel window.
However, the Emergency Hospital in Kabul said in a tweet on Monday that it had received 21 casualties, including the bodies of three.
The regional branch of IS – known as Islamic State in Khorasan province – has increased attacks since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021.
