Taliban imposes tight security for funeral after deadly suicide bombing

In Afghanistan, the funeral for Taliban minister Khalil Haqqani was held with heightened security measures after he was killed in a suicide bombing on December 11, 2024. This attack, claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group, resulted in Haqqani being the highest-profile casualty since the Taliban's takeover three years earlier. The suicide bomb occurred during a meeting at the Ministry for Refugees and Repatriation in Kabul, also claiming the lives of five others in a shocking display of violence in the capital. Reports indicate that the assailant gained access to the heavily guarded ministry by deceiving security personnel, posing as a refugee with a legitimate reason to enter. This incident has raised concerns about security protocols within Taliban-operated areas, particularly as such attacks had become less frequent since August 2021 when the Taliban assumed control following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Following the attack, statements of condemnation poured in from various organizations, including the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for stability and denouncing terrorism. Neighboring Pakistan also expressed its solidarity, with officials reiterating their commitment to combatting terrorism alongside the Afghan government. This attack highlights the ongoing tensions in Afghanistan, where the Islamic State, a major adversary of the Taliban, continues to threaten peace and security in the region. With increasing violence, the Taliban's ability to maintain order and governance may be put to the test, prompting questions about their capacity to protect both their officials and the Afghan populace against such insurgent assaults.