Three bombings across Afghanistan have targeted Shiites celebrating Ashura. Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (also known as LeJ) has claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul that killed 55 people. Smaller attacks in Mazar-i-Sharif and Kandahar appear to be linked due to their similar timing and targeting. Sectarian violence like this is rare in Afghanistan. LeJ has been highly involved in attacks against Shiites in Pakistan, but has not engaged in high profile militant attacks in Afghanistan.
Tactical Analyst Ben West discusses the characteristics and significance of the Dec. 6 attacks in Afghanistan.
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George Friedman
George Friedman is the CEO and chief intelligence officer of
Stratfor, a private intelligence company located in Austin, TX.