Kabul attack: Newborn babies and mothers killed as gunmen storm Afghanistan maternity ward

The day’s violence extended beyond Kabul with a suicide bomber targeting a funeral ceremony in the east
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claims there is a 'significant amount of evidence'
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Militants stormed a maternity ward in the Afghan capital and killed two newborn babies, their mothers and a number of nurses.

A total of 16 people died in the attack which saw police battle the militants in an hours-long shootout in Kabul on Tuesday.

Images shared by the Interior Ministry showed Afghan security forces evacuate the facility, carrying out babies and frantic young mothers.

Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky over the hospital in Dashti Barchi, a neighbourhood that has been the site of many past attacks by Islamic State (IS) militants.

Following the attacks, President Ashraf Ghani said he was ordering an offensive of operations against the Taliban and other groups.

Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said more than 100 women and babies were evacuated from the building before it was over.

Another 15 people including women, men and children were injured in the attack by several gunmen. Mr Arian said three foreign nationals were among those safely evacuated.

According to the BBC, the attackers were dressed as police officers when they entered the hospital.

Ramazan Ali, a vendor who saw the attack begin, told the Reuters news agency: "The attackers were shooting at anyone in this hospital without any reason...

"It's a Government hospital, and a lot of people bring in their women and children for treatment."

It was unclear why the maternity hospital in Dashti Barchi, a 100-bed facility, was targeted – an attack Mr Arian said was an “act against humanity and a war crime”.

A maternity ward in the hospital is run by the international medical charity Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF).

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned the attack on the hospital as "sheer evil" and an "unconscionable" attack.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the attack on the hospital was 'evil' 
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"Terrorists who attack mourners lining up for prayer at a funeral are only seeking to tear apart the bonds that hold families and communities together, but they will never succeed."

He added: "During the holy month of Ramadan and amidst the threat of Covid-19, these dual attacks are particularly appalling."

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul, where both the Taliban and the IS frequently target Afghan military and security forces, as well as civilians.

The Taliban denied they were involved but the IS group said it was behind the attack on a police commander's funeral in Nangarhar in the east of the country.

A suicide bomber at the funeral killed at least 24 people and wounded 68.

The attacks continued in eastern Khost province, where a bomb planted in a cart in a market killed a child and wounded 10 people.

The violence could further undermine a peace process in the wake of a deal signed between the United States and the Taliban in February, which envisages the start of talks among key Afghan figures, including government representatives, and the Taliban.

In a televised speech hours after the attacks, the president announced that Afghan security forces would no longer operate in the defensive posture taken in the wake of the peace agreement.

Instead, he called on security forces to launch attacks against Taliban insurgents.

“The Taliban have not given up fighting and killing Afghans, instead they have increased their attacks on our countrymen and public places” despite repeated calls for a ceasefire, Mr Ghani said.

Speaking while the battle between security forces and the attackers was underway at the maternity unit, Mr Arian said: "The forces are trying to eliminate the terrorists and bring the situation under control."

By mid-afternoon, the ministry issued a statement saying three attackers had stormed the hospital and that one was shot and killed while the other two were still resisting arrest.

The first floor of the clinic was cleared but the operation was ongoing to secure the rest of the building, the statement said.

A few hours later, the ministry released another statement, saying all three attackers were dead and that the operation was over.

In the evening hours, husbands, fathers and family members of the hospital’s patients gathered around the site in Dashti Barchi, desperate for news of their loved ones.

A man read out the names of those who had been evacuated to other hospitals.

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