Afghanistan Roundup: Afghan Minister killed, US withdrawal from Afghanistan, global reaction to attacks
UAE reaction to Afghan Ministry attack
The recent attack on the Afghan Ministry of Refugees has drawn international condemnation, particularly from the United Arab Emirates, which expressed its sorrow over the assassination of Refugee Minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has explicitly denounced the violence, extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing for a swift recovery for the injured, Dubaieye reports.
Killed minister buried
In a notable escalation of violence attributed to IS-Khorasan (IS-K), Khalil-Ur-Rahman Haqqani's funeral has underscored the attack's significance, marking an alarming challenge for the Taliban’s governance. Haqqani, known for his leadership role in the Haqqani network and with a bounty of $5 million on his head, was targeted in a suicide bombing that inflicted casualties among ministry personnel. According to the VOA, Global entities such as the UN and EU have joined the condemnation, stressing the persistent threat of terrorism in Afghanistan, despite the Taliban’s assertions of weakening IS-K capabilities.
UN condemns minister’s death
The UN has also voiced its disapproval of this heinous act, underscoring that such terrorism undermines the quest for stability in Afghanistan, Barrons reports. The attack that claimed Haqqani’s life took place at the ministry during an official meeting and represents the first assault on a minister since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, despite a general trend of reduced violence in recent months. Furthermore, Haqqani’s historical ties to the Haqqani network, alongside existing US and UN sanctions against him, highlight the complexities entwined with leadership in the region.
ISIS claims responsibility
Islamic State claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed Afghanistan’s minister for refugees at his office in Kabul, AFP reports. Taliban authorities had already blamed Isis for the “cowardly attack”, which a government official said had killed minister Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani and a number of his colleagues on Wednesday. The explosion – the first attack targeting a minister since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 – was caused by a suicide blast.
US withdrawal from Afghanistan
Amidst the backdrop of these tragic events, the political landscape surrounding the US withdrawal from Afghanistan remains contentious, CBS News reports. During a recent House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken defended the administration's decision, arguing that it was essential for reallocating resources and preventing advantages for adversaries like Russia. However, a partisan divide was evident, with Republican lawmakers, spearheaded by Chairman Michael McCaul, criticising the withdrawal's execution and citing the loss of American lives as a harrowing consequence. The current political discourse has become increasingly fragmented, with former President Trump promising accountability for what he characterises as mismanagement of the withdrawal, showcasing the ongoing ramifications of this geopolitical decision across various fronts.
