Afghanistan: violent attack on a hospital in Kabul

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Day of deadly violence in Afghanistan: there is an ongoing attack on a hospital in Kabul where MSF runs a maternity ward. Afghan security forces are evacuating patients. In photos shared by security sources, we see soldiers carrying swaddled infants in their arms, followed by women in tears. Dozens of people were rescued. Another attack targeted the funeral of a local police chief, claiming at least dozens of victims, authorities said. The Taliban deny any involvement in these two attacks.

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With our correspondent in Kabul , Sonia Ghezali

Afghan security forces are evacuating patients. In photos shared by security sources, we see soldiers carrying swaddled infants in their arms, followed by women in tears. Witnesses on the spot said they heard two explosions followed by heavy fire. Security sources explain that two attackers heavily armed with rocket launchers and other heavy weapons are inside the premises.

A busy maternity

"The 100-bed hospital" is the most frequented in the Dasht-e-Bartchi district, largely inhabited by the Hazara, Shiite minority, regularly targeted by the Islamic State group. The NGO Médecin sans frontières (MSF) manages a maternity hospital with around 40 beds. The international NGO Marie Stopes, which specializes in contraceptive issues, also has a small clinic there.

No information for the moment on the presence on the spot of possible international humanitarian workers. The population is in shock. Relative calm has reigned in Kabul for several months even if in recent days, several explosions have been heard across the city. They were mainly bombs targeting cars belonging to the security forces.

Explosive funeral

This morning in the east of the country, a suicide bomber detonated his charge during the funeral of a local police chief, killing dozens of people and injuring them.
Since the signing of the agreement between the Americans and the Taliban, violence has increased in Afghanistan. March was a particularly violent month. With an average of 50 attacks carried out every day against the Afghan security forces.

Read also: Afghanistan: NATO no longer publishes data on Taliban attacks

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• Afghanistan
• Terrorism
• Taliban

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