The Islamic State’s last remaining stronghold in Afghanistan is in the southern part of Nangarhar, where American and Afghan forces have carried out many operations against the group and reduced the area it controls. The attacks on Tuesday brought to six the number of schools attacked in the province in recent months. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for previous episodes. But a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, denied in a WhatsApp message that the group had played any role in the attacks on Tuesday. Islamic State insurgents have vowed to attack schools in the province in retaliation for American bombing campaigns against their forces.

Source: New York Times September 11, 2018 15:11 UTC