UPDATE - Kabul: 8 civilians die in attack on foreign forces

UPDATES WITH DAESH’S CLAIM, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY'S CONDEMNATION

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - At least eight civilians are confirmed dead and 25 more wounded following a suicide attack on a convoy of foreign troops in the Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday.

The lone attacker targeted a convoy of foreign troops’ armored vehicles in the Macroryan area close to the U.S. military base in Kabul at around 8 a.m. local time (0430GMT).

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish told Anadolu Agency that all eight casualties were civilians.

“We cordoned off the area,” he added.

“The attacker detonated his explosives close to a convoy of foreign troops. No harm was done to the foreign soldiers, as all the casualties in the attack were civilians”.

Daesh has claimed responsibility for the attack, a website associated with the militant group quoted its official.

At least all four terrorist attacks in Kabul during the past three months have been claimed by the Daesh, including an attack on the main public hospital in Kabul in which up to 30 people died.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attack.

“We condemn the terror attack this morning (May 3) against the convoy carrying NATO troop,” the ministry said in a released statement.

The ministry wished Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to the relatives as well as to the government of Afghanistan and its nation.

“On this occasion, we reiterate that Turkey will continue to be in solidarity with friendly and brotherly Afghanistan,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, in a recently announced annual offensives, the Taliban have vowed to wage solo and group assaults on Afghan and foreign forces and their installations.