Afghan Bombs Kill at Least 78 People in Two Days

People scatter seconds after a suicide blast targeting a Shiite Muslim gathering in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Dec. 6, 2011. (Photo credit: Najibullah Musafer / Reuters)

The Associated Press and Reuters via MSNBC.com
December 7, 2011

KABUL, Afghanistan — A roadside mine killed 19 civilians, including children, and injured another five when it exploded in the southern Afghan province of Helmand on Wednesday, the provincial government told Reuters.

The strike on the minibus came a day after at least 59 people were killed in sectarian attacks in three cities across the country, and refocused attention on the fragile Afghan security situation. …

On Tuesday, twin bombings on Shiite Muslims celebrating the holiday of Ashoura sparked fears that attacks in Afghanistan might be taking on a sectarian dimension for the first time. …

A suicide bomber slaughtered dozens of Shiite worshippers and wounded more than 160 others Tuesday outside a Kabul shrine where hundreds had gathered to worship. …

A body is covered at the scene of an attack near a shrine in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo credit: S. Sabawoon / EPA)

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), responsible for security across much of the country, says it is winning the war against the Taliban.

But if Tuesday’s bombing sets a precedent for violence between the Sunni Muslim majority and the Shiite minority, it would severely stretch army and police resources. …

Full story

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Photo chronicle

Twelve-year-old Tarana Akbari (in green dress) cries as she is surrounded by the bodies of victims of the suicide attack in Kabul on Dec. 6, 2011. Akbari lost seven relatives in the attacks, including her 7-year-old brother. (Massoud Hossaini / AFP — Getty Images)

A child sits on the ground as men try to help wounded people after an explosion during a religious ceremony in the center of Kabul on Dec. 6, 2011. (Massoud Hossaini / AFP — Getty Images)

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