Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province, where gunmen targeted Spanish tourists.

The Taliban’s interior ministry spokesperson reported that four individuals have been apprehended in connection with the attack, which also resulted in the death of an Afghan citizen and injuries to several others, both foreign and Afghan.

Bamiyan, known for its UNESCO World Heritage site and the remnants of the destroyed Buddha statues, has seen a small resurgence in tourism since the Taliban assumed control in 2021.

Despite Taliban assurances of security, incidents like Friday’s attack underscore ongoing risks for foreign visitors.

This assault is one of the most severe instances of violence against foreigners since the Taliban regained power, The Guardian has reported.

Notably, Islamic State has previously claimed responsibility for attacks targeting foreign nationals in Afghanistan, including an incident at a Kabul hotel popular among Chinese business travelers in 2022.

Written by B.C. Begley