Gunmen kill 14 in deadly attack on Shiites in Afghanistan

On Thursday, gunmen attacked a group of Hazara Shiite people traveling between Ghor and Daikundi provinces in central Afghanistan, resulting in 14 fatalities and six injuries. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the assault, which they described as targeting individuals welcoming returning Afghan Shiites from Iraq. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan this year, highlighting the ongoing violence against the Shiite community. The Taliban condemned the attack, labeling it a 'barbaric action' and emphasized their commitment to protecting citizens and pursuing justice for the victims. The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated that authorities are actively searching for the attackers. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan expressed condolences to the victims' families and called for an investigation into the incident. This attack is part of a broader pattern of violence perpetrated by the Islamic State group, which has increasingly targeted Shiite areas, schools, and places of worship over the past three years. The group’s actions pose a significant challenge to the Taliban's control over security in the country. The Iranian Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, urging immediate action against those responsible. The recent surge in violence, including a suicide bombing in Kabul earlier this month, raises concerns about the safety of minority communities in Afghanistan. Human rights experts have described the killings of Shiite Hazara as potentially constituting international crimes, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and protection for vulnerable populations in the region.