ISIS claims attack on Iraqi Embassy in Afghanistan

Islamic State claimed responsibility for a Monday morning explosion and an hours-long gun battle at the Iraqi Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The country’s Interior Ministry said one of the militants blew himself up at the embassy gate before three other attackers stormed the building. The militants engaged security forces in a gun battle for about four hours before security forces eventually killed them. Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said embassy diplomats and employees were rescued, but noted that guards and nearby civilians could be among the casualties. The Islamic State (ISIS) Aamaq news agency said two of its attackers blew up the gate and killed seven guards before storming into the compound. ISIS and the Taliban have continued to stage attacks in Afghanistan’s capital city. Some 35 people died in a bombing claimed by the Taliban last week when they struck a bus filled with government employees.