Attacks On Shiites Threaten Afghan Society’s Diversity, Says US Special Representative

Rina Amiri, the US special representative for women and human rights in Afghanistan, said that attacks against the Shia community are a threat to the diversity that defines Afghanistan.

Reacting to Friday’s attack targeting the Shia community’s mosque in Baghlan province, Amiri said, "This brutality must end."

The attack on Imam Zaman Mosque in Pul-e-Khomri city took place on Friday.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, ISIS took responsibility for the attack and claimed that as a result of the attack, “50 Shia” had been killed and dozens wounded.

However, the Taliban officials in Baghlan provided a significantly lower number, stating that seven people were killed and 15 were wounded in the attack.

Over the past few years, religious, cultural, and educational centres, and peaceful gatherings of Hazaras and Shias have been continuously attacked.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for many of these attacks.