At least 33 people were killed in an explosion that hit a mosque during Friday prayers in northern Afghanistan, the Taliban government spokesman said. The day before, two attacks by the Islamic State had killed 16 people.
“The blast occurred at a mosque in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz, killing 33 civilians including children,” government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter.
This explosion comes the day after two attacks claimed by the Islamic State group in Afghanistan, which in total left at least 16 dead and dozens injured.
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Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August after overthrowing US-backed authorities there, the number of bombings has declined, but jihadists and IS have continued their attacks on targets they deem heretical.
Frequented by Sufis
“We condemn this crime (…) and express our deepest sympathy to the bereaved,” Zabihullah Mujahid said. Images posted on social networks, which could not be immediately verified, showed the walls holed by impacts of the Mawlavi Sikandar mosque, frequented by Sufis.
Jihadist groups such as IS have a deep hatred for this Muslim current which they consider heretical and which they accuse of polytheism – the greatest sin in Islam – for having asked for the intercession of dead saints.
A member of the nursing staff at a nearby hospital told AFP by telephone that between 30 and 40 people had been admitted to this establishment after the explosion.
agences / asch