A New Cold War? Great Powers Compete for Influence in Africa
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A Chinese citizen, identified only by the surname Li, was killed in an attack claimed by ISIS in Afghanistan’s Takhar province on Tuesday. The incident occurred while Li was traveling to the Dasht-e-Qala district, accompanied by a translator who fortunately was unharmed. Taliban police spokesperson Mohammed Akbar stated that the assailants were described as "unknown people," but ISIS later took responsibility, reporting that their militants used a machine gun to target the vehicle.
The Chinese government expressed deep shock at the incident, urging Afghan authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of Chinese nationals operating in the country. China's foreign ministry emphasized the need for "resolute and effective measures" from the Afghan interim government to protect Chinese institutions and personnel.
This attack is the first of its kind since December 2022, when a local ISIS offshoot, known as ISIS-K, targeted a Kabul hotel frequented by Chinese investors, resulting in several casualties. Despite the Taliban's claims of restoring peace since their takeover in August 2021, ISIS has continued to carry out significant attacks against Taliban officials and various community members.
Afghanistan's Interior Ministry noted that Li was traveling without the proper security arrangements, as Chinese nationals are advised to notify officials when traveling between districts. The incident has raised urgent security concerns regarding foreign nationals in Afghanistan, particularly amid issues related to the Taliban's control and the ongoing threats posed by ISIS.