UPDATE 2 - Suicide attack at Kabul mosque kills at least 22

ADDS STATE DEPARTMENT CONDEMNATION, BACKGROUND

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan / WASHINGTON (AA) - A suicide attack at a Shia mosque in the Afghan capital Kabul on Friday killed at least 22 people, officials confirmed.

Mohammad Ismaeel Kawosi, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, told Anadolu Agency that in addition to 22 deaths, many more were wounded in the attack.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish confirmed it was a suicide attack aimed at the Imam Zaman Mosque in the capital’s western Dasht-e-Barchi neighborhood. He said in a statement that investigations are underway to assess the losses.

Though there has been no immediate claim of responsibility, on Aug. 25, a similar attack at the same mosque was claimed by pro-Daesh militants. Up to 50 people were killed in the attack, also timed to occur on the mosque’s busy Friday.

The relatively peaceful coexistence between followers of different sects in Afghanistan has recently come under attack from pro-Daesh rebels who have killed scores of Shia believers in many brazen terrorist attacks.

The U.S. State Department also condemned the attacks, describing them as "senseless and cowardly acts".

"We commend the Government and security forces of Afghanistan for their response to these attacks, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed," it said in a written statement. "Our commitment to Afghanistan is unwavering."

It added that the U.S. stands with the government and people of Afghanistan and will continue to support their efforts to achieve peace and security for their country.