Taliban claim Kabul bombing as Afghan forces defend besieged cities
Afghan, US militaries carry out air strikes against insurgents
By AFP - Aug 04,2021 - Last updated at Aug 04,2021
An Afghan security personnel gestures as he stands guard at the site a day after a car bomb explosion in Kabul on Wednesday (AFP photo)
KABUL The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a huge bomb attack in Kabul targeting the defence minister, as the insurgents fought for control of a string of besieged cities across the country.
The bomb-and-gun attack on Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi on Tuesday was one of the biggest in Kabul for months, bringing violence to the capital after intense fighting in the south and west of the country.
The Taliban warned Wednesday of more attacks targeting Afghan government leaders, a day after the defence minister escaped an assassination attempt and as the insurgents fought to take control of a string of besieged cities across the country.
The Taliban warned that it was planning more attacks on Afghan government targets as it pursues an offensive on cities nationwide. The EU on Thursday called for a "permanent ceasefire" amid fears the…