Suicide blasts kill 24 people in Afghanistan's capital

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan

At least 24 Afghans, mostly security personnel, were killed and over 90 others were wounded in two suicide blasts at the Ministry of Defense in the heart of the capital Kabul on Monday, according to the Ministry of Public Health.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came days after six militants stormed the American University of Afghanistan in the city that killed 13 people, including seven young students.

The latest afternoon attack took place when two suicide bombers detonated their explosives near the gate of the ministry, which is located on a busy Kabul street, at a time when staffers were leaving for their homes.

Mohammad Radmanish, a Defense Ministry spokesman, told Anadolu Agency more lives were lost when police and civilians rushed to the site of the first blast and the second bomber then blew himself up.

Like most government offices, the Defense Ministry is located in the heart of old Kabul, surrounded by a bustling market, which is frequented by thousands of pedestrians and vehicles daily.

This is not the first time the ministry has been targeted. In April this year, the Taliban had targeted almost the same spot and killed 28 people.

President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the attack and blamed the “enemies of Afghanistan” for the incident. “The enemies of Afghanistan are losing the fight in the ground battle with security forces," Ghani said in a statement. “That is why they are attacking, highways, cities, mosques, schools and ordinary people.”

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry Monday strongly condemned the blasts.

"We strongly condemn the attacks in Afghanistan and extend our condolences to the Afghan government and the families of those killed, and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement added the determination of Afghan government and Afghan people, which has stepped up by the support of international community cannot be crippled by these terrorist attacks. "Turkey will continue remaining in solidarity with fellow Afghanistan."