At least 22 people have been killed after ISIS attacked Kabul University. The gunmen who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State stormed the building, shooting and detonating explosives. They then took hostages and engaged in a massive gun battle with members of the Afghan army and Afghan security forces.
It is believed that 3 gunmen took part in the attack, all of whom have now been killed. The attack was later condemned by the Taliban, who are involved in long running negotiations with the Afghan government. Kabul University is the nation's largest educational institution.
A 23-year-old student, Fraidoon Ahmadi, recounted the scene when the gunmen entered the university. He said:
"We were very scared and we thought it could be the last day of our lives. Boys and girls were shouting, praying and crying for help."
Another witness, Fathullah Moradi, said that the attackers were:
"Shooting at every student they saw."
The attack comes just a week after an attack on an education centre in Kabul that killed 40 students. It too, was claimed by ISIS who have seen their prominence grow within Afghanistan following their defeat in Iraq and Syria.
Lyse Doucet, Chief International Correspondent for the BBC said:
"The Afghan government now regards these despicable attacks on civilians as the work of a seamless web of groups with guns determined to wreak havoc and wreck hope in Afghanistan. Afghans are reeling - from this violence and from the escalating war between security forces and Taliban fighters on front lines across the country."
Educational institutions within the country are seen as key targets for Islamic extremists who regard the education system as teaching values contrary to Islam, including the teaching of girls and women. The Taliban is currently in talks with the United States and the Afghan government in Doha and a ceasefire is ongoing.
Afghanistan has been ravaged by war for over 40 years. Conflict has included full-scale invasions by the Soviet Union, and later by the United States and its allies. Massive tribal and political fights for power within the country have also left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced. It remains one of the poorest and least educated countries in the world.
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