Terrorists Storm Hospital: Afghanistan Times

May 12 was a particularly brutal day in Afghanistan. “Terrorists stormed a maternity hospital in west of Kabul on Tuesday morning, killing at least 16 people including four women and children and injured 16 others, in a gun battle with security forces that lasted for hours,” reports Afghanistan Times. Also, “More than 24 others were killed in a suicide bombing at a funeral in eastern Nangarhar.” Three terrorists who attacked the maternity clinic run by Doctors Without Borders wore police uniforms, throwing grenades and firing on doctors and patients. Security forces evacuated more than 80 newborns and mothers from the hospital. The Taliban denied responsibility, and the Islamic State released no statement. The United States and coalition partners have had troops stationed in the country since the 2001 invasion, and the US signed an agreement on troop withdrawal in March, described as only the “start” to a peace process. BBC News reports the Afghan president ordered security forces to switch from defensive to offensive mode. – YaleGlobal