Multiple Explosions Heard During Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's Oath Ceremony

Multiple blasts were heard as Afghanistan's two rival leaders held parallel presidential inaugurations in Kabul on Monday, underscoring the country's woeful security ahead of talks with a resurgent Taliban.

#WATCH Afghanistan: Multiple explosions reported during President #AshrafGhani's oath taking ceremony in Kabul. pic.twitter.com/8N7aYrdAuS

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2020

Hundreds of people had assembled at two venues inside the presidential palace complex to watch the swearing-in ceremonies for President Ashraf Ghani and challenger Abdullah Abdullah, when the blasts were heard, prompting some to flee.

"I have no bulletproof vest on, only my shirt, I will stay even if I have to sacrifice my head," Ghani told the remaining crowd, as sirens sounded overhead.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack.

"Caliphate soldiers targeted the inauguration of the tyrant Ashraf Ghani", firing 10 rockets near the presidential palace in Kabul, the jihadist group said in a statement released via its usual social media channels.