<p>The Islamic State group claimed it had attacked the Iraqi embassy in Kabul today, as a series of explosions and the sound of gunfire shook the Afghan capital in a continuing assault.<br /><br />A security source told AFP that a suicide bomber had blown himself up outside the Iraqi embassy. "Civilians are being evacuated" from the area as the attack is ongoing, said the official, who declined to be named.<br /><br />There was no immediate information about casualties.<br /><br />Two members of "the Islamic State attack the Iraqi embassy building in the Afghan city of Kabul", said the jihadist group's propaganda agency Amaq without providing further details.<br /><br />At least four explosions, along with the sounds of gunfire and grenades, were heard near the city's diplomatic quarter shortly after 11:00 am (local time).<br /><br />Security forces rapidly descended on the area and the sirens of ambulances rushing to the scene could also be heard. A column of smoke rose from the blast site.<br /><br />Police confirmed at least one blast but said they did not immediately have further information.<br /><br />The Iraqi embassy is located in northwestern Kabul, in a neighbourhood that is home to several hotels and banks as well as large supermarkets and several police compounds.<br /><br />"I heard a big blast followed by several explosions and small gunfire," said Ahmad Ali, a nearby shopkeeper.<br /><br />"People were worried and closed their shops to run for safety. The roads are still blocked by security forces."<br /><br />The attack is the latest to rock Kabul, and comes as the resurgent Taliban intensify their offensive across the country. A week ago, a car bomb struck the city during morning rush hour, killing at least 26 people in an attack claimed by the Taliban.<br /><br />But the Islamic State group, recently ousted from the Iraqi city of Mosul, have been expanding their footprint in eastern Afghanistan and claimed responsibility for several devastating attacks in Kabul.<br /><br />A recent UN report showed that nearly 20 per cent of all civilian deaths in Afghanistan in the first half of 2017 took place in Kabul.<br /><br />Many of those deaths occurred in a single attack in late May when a truck bomb exploded during the morning rush hour, killing more than 150 people and injuring hundreds.<br /><br />No group has officially claimed responsibility for that attack, the deadliest in the capital since the US invasion in 2001.<br /><br />NATO forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Since then Afghan troops and police, beset by soaring casualties, have struggled to beat back the insurgents.<br /><br />The US is considering whether to send thousands more troops to help the beleaguered Afghan forces as the war-weary country is gripped by increasing insecurity.</p>
<p>The Islamic State group claimed it had attacked the Iraqi embassy in Kabul today, as a series of explosions and the sound of gunfire shook the Afghan capital in a continuing assault.<br /><br />A security source told AFP that a suicide bomber had blown himself up outside the Iraqi embassy. "Civilians are being evacuated" from the area as the attack is ongoing, said the official, who declined to be named.<br /><br />There was no immediate information about casualties.<br /><br />Two members of "the Islamic State attack the Iraqi embassy building in the Afghan city of Kabul", said the jihadist group's propaganda agency Amaq without providing further details.<br /><br />At least four explosions, along with the sounds of gunfire and grenades, were heard near the city's diplomatic quarter shortly after 11:00 am (local time).<br /><br />Security forces rapidly descended on the area and the sirens of ambulances rushing to the scene could also be heard. A column of smoke rose from the blast site.<br /><br />Police confirmed at least one blast but said they did not immediately have further information.<br /><br />The Iraqi embassy is located in northwestern Kabul, in a neighbourhood that is home to several hotels and banks as well as large supermarkets and several police compounds.<br /><br />"I heard a big blast followed by several explosions and small gunfire," said Ahmad Ali, a nearby shopkeeper.<br /><br />"People were worried and closed their shops to run for safety. The roads are still blocked by security forces."<br /><br />The attack is the latest to rock Kabul, and comes as the resurgent Taliban intensify their offensive across the country. A week ago, a car bomb struck the city during morning rush hour, killing at least 26 people in an attack claimed by the Taliban.<br /><br />But the Islamic State group, recently ousted from the Iraqi city of Mosul, have been expanding their footprint in eastern Afghanistan and claimed responsibility for several devastating attacks in Kabul.<br /><br />A recent UN report showed that nearly 20 per cent of all civilian deaths in Afghanistan in the first half of 2017 took place in Kabul.<br /><br />Many of those deaths occurred in a single attack in late May when a truck bomb exploded during the morning rush hour, killing more than 150 people and injuring hundreds.<br /><br />No group has officially claimed responsibility for that attack, the deadliest in the capital since the US invasion in 2001.<br /><br />NATO forces ended their combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014. Since then Afghan troops and police, beset by soaring casualties, have struggled to beat back the insurgents.<br /><br />The US is considering whether to send thousands more troops to help the beleaguered Afghan forces as the war-weary country is gripped by increasing insecurity.</p>