The attack on Chinese nationals in a Kabul hotel was the direct consequence of ISIS-K's strategy to destabilize the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. The report quoted Valle Riccardo, co-founder of The Khorasan Diary, a website focused on tracking militant groups, as saying that: "ISIS-K is trying to prevent the Taliban [from making the] transition from an insurgency to a proper government."

The Islamic State - Khorasan Province (ISIS-K's), is an affiliate of the Islamic State militant group active in South Asia and Central Asia. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the December 12 bombing and shooting at a Kabul hotel frequently visited by Chinese diplomats and businessmen. According to ISIS-K, its main targets were Chinese communists and Taliban elements.

"The bombing occurred only a day after Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu met with Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai to discuss security and request more attention to the protection of Beijing's embassy in Kabul," reported Nikkei Asia.  Source: devdiscourse