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Afghanistan Koran protests: Eight die on fourth day Afghanistan Koran protests claim more lives
(about 1 hour later)
At least eight people have died as protests continue for a fourth day in Afghanistan over the burning of Korans by American troops at a US air base. Thousands of Afghans enraged over US military personnel setting fire to copies of the Koran have taken to the streets for a fourth day of protests.
Seven people were killed in the western province of Herat, officials said. In the deadliest day of unrest so far, at least 12 people died across the country, as mobs charged at US bases and diplomatic missions.
Another protester died in the Pul-e-Khumri district of Baghlan province when a reconstruction office came under attack. More than 20 people have been killed since the unrest began, including two US soldiers on Thursday.
On Thursday US President Barack Obama apologised to the Afghan people, saying the burnings were a "genuine mistake". President Barack Obama has apologised for the Koran-burning incident.
On Friday, a group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured, security sources told the BBC. Most of the deaths reported on Friday were in western Herat province, which had seen little unrest previously.
Three people were killed in the city, with another four reported dead in other parts of Herat province.
Thousands are out in Herat and there are demonstrations in several places around the city. There are different groups out in force and some of the protests have turned violent. At the hospital we saw one body, and several other people who had been injured in the violence.Thousands are out in Herat and there are demonstrations in several places around the city. There are different groups out in force and some of the protests have turned violent. At the hospital we saw one body, and several other people who had been injured in the violence.
At least one group were trying to get into the US consulate, in the north of the city. We heard gunfire from security forces as they tried to stop the angry crowd. At least one group was trying to get into the US consulate, in the north of the city. We heard gunfire from security forces as they tried to stop the angry crowd.
The protests began after Friday prayers and people who had gathered in all the mosques in different part of the city streamed out and chanted slogans, expressing their fury at what happened. The protests began after Friday prayers and people who had gathered in all the mosques in different part of the city streamed out and chanted slogans, expressing their fury at what had happened.
The latest deaths bring the toll from protests in recent days to at least 20, including two US soldiers. A group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat city, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured.
Protests were reported around the country on Friday: Hospital officials confirmed three people had been killed.
  • Five separate groups were heading to different locations in Kabul, including Nato headquarters and the US Embassy, police said, with one protestor reported wounded when police fired into the air. Some 300 people were heading towards Kabul's main military training centre, security sources told the BBC
  • About 1,000 people were on the streets in Baghlan
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  • In Ghazni, 600 demonstrators gathered outside the governor's office shouting "death to Obama"
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  • About 300 protesters turned out in Kunduz province
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  • Several thousand people protesting in Nangarhar blocked a highway
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  • A demonstration in Gardez, capital of Paktia province, is now reported to be over
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  • A demonstration was reported in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif
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Another four people died in Adraskan district, 70km (45 miles) south of Herat city, and another demonstrator also died in the province.
German troops are also moving from a small base in Takhar province to a larger facility in neighbouring Kunduz province because of protests. Elsewhere in Afghanistan:
  • About 1,000 people took to the streets of Baghlan, north of Kabul, and one person was reported killed
  • In Kabul, hundreds of people poured on to the streets to take part in several rallies after Friday prayers; police said a protester was shot and killed accidentally when other demonstrators opened fire
  • Two demonstrators were killed in Khost province
  • Several thousand people protesting in Nangarhar blocked a main road
Reports say isolated protests have also broken out in Pakistan, where there is a tradition of angry anti-US rallies.
'Major error''Major error'
Earlier on Friday, Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, appealed for calm.Earlier on Friday, Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Allen, appealed for calm.
"I call on everyone throughout the country - Isaf members and Afghans - to exercise patience and restraint as we continue to gather the facts," Gen Allen said in a statement."I call on everyone throughout the country - Isaf members and Afghans - to exercise patience and restraint as we continue to gather the facts," Gen Allen said in a statement.
"Working together with the Afghan leadership is the only way for us to correct this major error and ensure that it never happens again," he said. "Working together with the Afghan leadership is the only way for us to correct this major error and ensure that it never happens again."
In a letter to President Hamid Karzai sent on Thursday, Mr Obama expressed his "deep regret".
He also assured the Afghan president that US authorities would question all those responsible.
On Thursday President Karzai told members of the Afghan parliament that a US officer was responsible for the burning, but said it was done out of "ignorance".
But the various apologies proffered by Nato and the US have not cooled the anger on the streets, the BBC's Orla Guerin in Kabul reports.
Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence.Muslims consider the Koran the literal word of God and treat each book with deep reverence.
And the various apologies from Nato and the US have not cooled the anger on the streets, says the BBC's Orla Guerin in Kabul.
On Thursday the Taliban had called on Afghans to attack "invading forces" in revenge for "insulting" the Koran.On Thursday the Taliban had called on Afghans to attack "invading forces" in revenge for "insulting" the Koran.
In a statement a Taliban spokesman said Afghans should "not stop at protesting" but instead target military bases and personnel to "teach them a lesson that they will never again dare to insult the Holy Koran". Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hard-line US pastor burned a Koran in Florida.
Last year, at least 24 people died in protests across Afghanistan after a hardline US pastor burned a Koran in Florida.
Are you in Afghanistan? Are you planning to take part in protests? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Are you in Afghanistan? Are you planning to take part in protests? You can send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
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