Afghanistan: at least ten people injured in rocket attack in Kabul

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Broken car after the rocket attack in the center of Kabul

During the 101st anniversary of Afghanistan's independence, more than a dozen rockets hit the center of the capital, Kabul. At least ten people were injured, as the Interior Ministry announced. The rockets were therefore fired from two vehicles in the northwest and southeast of the city. Two men were arrested.

Several bullets hit the diplomatic quarter not far from a ceremony attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. According to dpa information, a rocket exploded on the premises of the presidential palace. A unit of the honor guard stationed there is said to have only just missed. However, most missiles hit residential areas, according to the Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, the government and the militant Islamist Taliban are planning peace talks to end the decades-long conflict in the country. The direct negotiations are to begin as soon as a prisoner exchange is completed.

The USA signed an agreement with the Taliban on February 29 that provides for the withdrawal of international troops. In return, the Taliban should guarantee that Afghanistan will no longer pose a terrorist threat. The terrorist militia "Islamic State" is also active in Afghanistan and repeatedly carries out attacks in Kabul.

Afghan women's rights activist Fausia Kufi was injured in the arm in a murder attack on Friday. She is one of four women in the 21-strong Kabul delegation for the planned peace talks. The Taliban denied being responsible for the attack on an expressway near Kabul.

mfh / dpa