Suicide attack kills 27 at Shia mosque in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan

A suicide attack inside a Shia mosque here killed at least 27 people Monday.

Col. Fareedon Obaidi, head of investigations for Kabul Police, told Anadolu Agency a lone suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the Baqar Ulom Mosque where Shia Muslim worshippers had gathered for the ritual mourning of Islam's Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein, as they do on the 40th day after the anniversary of his death.

Staff at the Istiqlal Public Hospital, where most of the victims were treated, confirmed at least 27 people died and more than 30 were wounded.

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and extended condolences to the families and friends of the victims.

The attack has continued an emerging trend of sectarian violence, particularly targeting Shia Muslims, which until recently had not been so evident in comparison to neighboring countries like Pakistan.

In July, more than 81 Afghan citizens, mostly members of the Shia Hazara community, died in a twin-suicide attack on a political rally in Kabul, which was claimed by the Daesh militant group.