Bamyan, a mountainous province in central Afghanistan, is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage Site and the remnants of two colossal Buddha statues that were destroyed by the Taliban during their previous rule in 2001. Since assuming control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have pledged to maintain security and promote a modest but expanding tourist industry. While foreign forces withdrew and the Taliban seized power in 2021, Friday’s attack marks one of the most serious incidents targeting foreign nationals since then. Notably, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack in Kabul in 2022 that injured Chinese citizens at a hotel frequented by Chinese businesspeople.
Foreign Tourists and Afghans Killed in Attack in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan
