UPDATE - Military academy in Afghan capital comes under attack

UPDATES WITH DAESH CLAIMING ATTACK, DETAILS OF ATTACK, BACKGROUND, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - Nine people, including five soldiers were killed when at least five attackers armed with heavy weapons attacked the Marshal Fahem Military Academy in capital Kabul before dawn on Monday, according to the Defense Ministry.

The academy, located on the southern outskirts of the city, was attacked last year as well on Oct. 21, 2017, which left 15 cadets dead when a bus they were traveling in was targeted by a suicide bomber.

In Monday's attack, a unit of the Afghan army close to the academy was targeted, Ministry of Defense spokesman Gen. Dawlat Waziri told Anadolu Agency.

He said a suicide bomber first blew himself up and later four armed attackers started shooting.

At around 10 a.m. local time (0530GMT), the Ministry declared the fighting over with four attackers killed and one arrested.

Five soldiers were also confirmed dead while 10 others were wounded, Waziri added.

Daesh terror group claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement on its Amaq propaganda site, the group confirmed five armed men were involved in the attack.

Daesh claimed a similar raid last week on the British charity, Save the Children, which left at least six people dead including three aid workers in eastern Nangarhar province bordering Pakistan.

This is the third major terrorist assault in the Afghan capital in a month.

Monday’s attack comes two days after a massive Taliban-claimed suicide car bombing in the city killed more than 100 people and left more than 200 people injured.

A week earlier, the Taliban stormed the iconic Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, killing more than 20 local and foreign guests.