Seven Killed as Taliban Attacks Guesthouse in Kabul Embassy District

The latest in an ever-growing series of high-profile attacks, Afghan Taliban forces have attacked the embassy district in the capital city of Kabul, setting off a car bomb and capturing a guesthouse used by foreign diplomats.

Seven people were killed in the attack, including four Afghan police. Three foreigners, including two Spanish police officers were also killed, as the guesthouse which is the focus of the attack is next to the Spanish Embassy. It has set the stage for an armed standoff which has already lasted many hours, extending into Saturday.

The Taliban said the attack was targeting “foreign invaders” within the guesthouse, and claimed “heavy casualties.” Security forces have suggested around seven Taliban are involved in the attacks, though only three Taliban were reported killed.

This attack comes just a few days after Tuesday’s attack on the Kandahar Airport, which killed at least 50 people. The airport was widely considered the most heavily fortified structure in southern Afghanistan, much as the embassy district is one of the most heavily guarded in the capital.

Though none of the Taliban attacks, taken by itself, seems to be a serious threat to the Ghani government, their ability to continue to infiltrate secure sites and conduct such high-profile attacks likely serves as a major embarrassment for them, and has many officials trading blame over why the security situation is getting so much worse.