At least eight people were killed and more than 30 wounded on Saturday morning when a series of rockets struck densely populated residential parts of Kabul.
According to the Interior Ministry, 23 rockets landed in Kabul just minutes after separate explosions took place in two other city suburbs.
Saturday's attacks are part of a wave of violence sweeping the Afghan capital with a worrying trend of targeting schools, universities, hospitals, restaurants, residential buildings and public places.
The rockets hit in the heart of the city right during rush hour, damaging a hospital's paediatric ward, a major shopping and restaurant district as well as residential buildings.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Tariq Arian tweeted that 23 rockets were fired from two vehicles around 8:40 in the morning, adding that, “unfortunately the rockets hit residential areas.”
Share-Naw - New City in English – is the vibrant heart of Kabul hit by many of the rockets that slammed into one of the city’s commercial centres and an affluent residential area, home to several government ministries, offices, hospitals and NGO compounds.
ISIS claimed the attack that the Taliban denied any involvement in. Many are blaming the government for increased insecurity, saying they have failed to provide a safe environment.
“This is a threat against all of us - it could have hit anyone,” said Ahmad Amiri, owner of Slice Bakery in Share-Naw, where a rocket hit the road right outside, injuring three of his staff -- a waiter, a driver and a delivery person -- and damaging one of the delivery cars, leaving a crater in the road. At least one of the three wounded sustained severe injuries.
"It's the incompetence of the Interior Ministry and the NDS [National Directorate of Security - Afghanistan's intelligence agency]. This is downtown Kabul, there are lots of security forces and these attacks still happen. It's getting murky. Everyone says they didn't do it," Amiri told The National, adding that "it looks like this is the start of the new normal."
A short distance from Slice Bakery, Sana Medical Complex’s paediatric ward was hit by yet another rocket, destroying one of the treatment rooms but causing no casualties.
“It was a miracle that no one was hurt,” said Nilab Sadat, the private clinic’s owner and CEO, still shaken by the morning attacks.
“A newborn baby boy was in the room across from where the rocket hit. He’s born into chaos. Life has no value here. This is one of the worst times. Civilians are being targeted. There is not a single peaceful day in Kabul,” she said.
The explosions came ahead of a meeting between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and negotiators from the Taliban and the Afghan government in Qatar’s capital Doha.
There is an ongoing wave of violence that has wrought carnage across Afghanistan in recent months.
The Taliban have pledged not to attack urban areas under the terms of a US withdrawal deal, but the Kabul government has blamed the insurgents or their proxies for other recent attacks in Kabul.
Peace negotiations that were supposed to lead to a power-sharing deal and that were initially launched in September have faced a stalemate, with the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), saying that Taliban violence has increased by 50 per cent in the past three months.
“They sit at the table together, but they can’t stop the violence. Why would our government sit with them? The Taliban brought pre-conditions to the talks when it came to the prisoner release, but why did the government not demand a ceasefire?” Mr Sadat asked, adding that many Afghans have invested in their country, continuously trying to create a better environment.
At least 30 patients were admitted to Emergency Hospital in Share-Naw, just metres away from where some of the rockets landed. “It was scary,” said Marco Puntin, the hospital’s Programme Coordinator.
Hours later, the daily bustle has returned to this morning’s targeted areas, with a handful of shops remaining closed, and a sombre atmosphere in the streets.
"I don't feel comfortable here anymore," Mr Sadat told The National, her hospital up and running again while the rubble is being cleared up.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
The specs: 2019 Cadillac XT4
Price, base: Dh145,000
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 237hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes.
The car
Hertz offers compact car rental from about $300 (Dh1,100) per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
The national park
Entry to Mount Rainier National Park costs $30 for one vehicle and passengers for up to seven days. Accommodation can be booked through mtrainierguestservices.com. Prices vary according to season. Rooms at the Holiday Inn Yakima cost from $125 per night, excluding breakfast.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Hot%20Seat
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Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
- Brentford v Arsenal
- Burnley v Brighton
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Everton v Southampton
- Leicester City v Wolves
- Manchester United v Leeds United
- Newcastle United v West Ham United
- Norwich City v Liverpool
- Tottenham v Manchester City
- Watford v Aston Villa
Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
MATCH INFO
Wales 1 (Bale 45 3')
Croatia 1 (Vlasic 09')
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Kandahar%20
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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THE SPECS
GMC Sierra Denali 1500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Price: Dh232,500
Napoleon
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.