The United States and the United Kingdom on Monday, 11 October, citing security risks, warned their citizens to avoid hotels in Afghanistan, especially the Serena Hotel in Kabul, NDTV reported.
While the US Department of State asked its citizens "who are at or near the Serena Hotel" to "leave immediately", the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office advised its citizens to not "stay in hotels, particularly in Kabul (such as the Serena Hotel)".
Numerous humanitarian workers and journalists of both countries continue to reside in Afghanistan despite the withdrawal of troops.
The Islamic State – Khorasan Province, also known as the ISKP, has emerged as a potent threat to Afghanistan's national security after the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover eight weeks ago.
On 8 October, a Shia mosque in Kunduz was the target of an ISKP suicide attack. At least 50 people were killed in the explosion.
The Serena Hotel itself has been the target of two attacks in the past, but both by the Taliban, added the NDTV report.
As the Taliban tries to rebuild Afghanistan after a 20-year long war, it has categorically ruled out cooperating with the US in order to contain the rise of ISKP.
(With inputs from NDTV)
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