Toll Rises in ISIS Attack on Kabul University, Students Protest

At least 35 killed, 50 wounded in attack

Monday’s attack by ISIS gunmen on Kabul University continues to dominate the Afghan capital, with the death toll rising to at least 35 killed, and students holding protests over the attack on the educational institution.

The attack was quickly claimed by ISIS, though some Afghan officials are still attempting to blame the Taliban. The Taliban disavowed that almost immediately Monday, and criticized attacks on the school.

This was the second attack in Kabul in less than two weeks, both claimed by ISIS. In both cases, the attack appeared to be related to Kabul’s Shi’ite minority, with Shi’ites the target for the first, and Iranian visitors present for Monday’s attack.

Some of the students complained that the ongoing intra-Afghan peace talks aren’t leading to a reduction in violence. ISIS, of course, is not involved in those talks, and the Taliban apparently was not involved in the attacks.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.