A Taliban suicide bomber on a motorcycle targeted a campaign rally by President Ashraf Ghani in northern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing at least 24 people and wounding 31. Ghani was present at the venue but was unharmed, according to his campaign chief.
Just hours later, an explosion struck near the U.S. Embassy in Kabul but details on that blast were not immediately known. The Taliban claimed both attacks.
The violence comes as Afghanistan faces presidential elections on Sept. 28 — a vote the Taliban vehemently oppose. The insurgent group has warned Afghans not to vote in the election, and said their fighters would target election campaigns as well as polling stations.
Associated Press:
News
After nearly twenty years, the U.S. military vacates main military base in Afghanistan
After nearly 20 years, the United States’ longest running war appears over. Two US officials announced on Friday “the U.S. military left Bagram Airfield, the epicenter of its war to oust the Taliban and hunt MORE
World
I Fought the Taliban. Now I’m Ready to Meet Them at the Ballot Box.
On September 26, 1996, the Taliban captured Kabul. I was a junior staffer at the Afghan Ministry of Defense. My job was mainly liaising with foreign and local media, international aid organizations and the small diplomatic MORE
Live Discussions
Live: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and General Mark Milley Hold News Conference
Join us at News Views for a live press briefing scheduled for 3:00pmET as officials continue to work to evacuate thousands from Afghanistan. MORE