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BY ALEJANDRA QUINTELA

You're watching multisource world video news analysis from Newsy.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack that killed at least 19 people at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

CNN reports--It is not the first time the Taliban has targeted a large hotel in the city.

"So significant not only because it is targeting a major hotel but a significant security that housed international workers. But also this is happening inside Kabul which has political security on the outs of the city designed  to sort exactly these types of attacks. For the Taliban this is really going to be a big plus for them and this is very likely why they are claiming responsibility for it [attack]."

The Washington Post’s Pamela Constable points out - the timing of the attack comes just a week after President Obama outlined a timetable for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.

“The audacious and heavily armed assault … shattered any sense of security in the sprawling capital ... [and it] comes as Afghanistan prepares to begin a transition from international to full domestic control of defense, security and civilian governance.”

But the International Business Times reports Afghan President Hamid Karzai is confident his army will be ready to take over from foreign forces as planned.

"The militants are enjoying the killing of innocent people… Such incidents will not stop us for transitioning security of our country."

IBT adds- the attack came after both the US and UK said they had started negotiations with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan-- indicating the group was never serious about a compromise.

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