Gunmen attack MSF hospital in Kabul, suicide bombing & shooting reported

Explosions and gunfire have been heard from inside a hospital in western Kabul operated by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), local media reported. Medical staff are said to be trapped inside as the battle rages on.

The hospital is located in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of the Afghan capital. At least two powerful explosions have been heard at the scene, TOLO News reported.

گزارش‌های نخستین می‌رسانند که افراد مسلح بر یک شفاخانه در منطقه دشت برچی از مربوطات حوزه سیزدهم امنیتی کابل حمله کرده‌اند. pic.twitter.com/NjNPMVqcyV

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) May 12, 2020

The Afghan Interior Ministry said a special police unit has arrived at the scene.

Some reports claim that at least one of the reported explosions happened when a suicide bomber entered the hospital premises, launching the attack.

Sounds of couple of explosions heard in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul this morning around 10:00 am, Sources. A suicide bomber has also entered into a hospital of Doctors Sans Frontier in the Thanke-thail area of Dashte Barchi % has started back to back firing.#Sayhoon pic.twitter.com/UxlzbHUn1v

— SAYHOON NEWS (@NewsSayhoon) May 12, 2020

According to a Reuters source in the Interior Ministry, the attack happened when the hospital was supposed to be visited by a deputy health minister.

Neither the identity of the gunmen nor a casualty report was immediately available. But witnesses say at least three injured civilians, including a woman, have been evacuated from the scene.

د کابل لویدځه څنډه کې پر یوه روغتون وسله وال برید شوی دی
د سیمې خلک وایي لومړی د روغتون دروازې مخې ته ځانمرګی برید شوی او وروسته وسله وال ور دننه شوي دي. pic.twitter.com/DCAoBfiFXn

— 1TVNewsAF (@1TVNewsAF) May 12, 2020

The attackers are reportedly trying to get inside a guest house on the hospital compound where foreigner personnel are staying.

MSF has been providing support to the Dasht-e-Barchi hospital to operate a maternal care ward. The organization says it’s the only place in the neighborhood, with a population of over one million, capable of dealing with emergency and complicated deliveries.

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