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Afghanistan Koran protests claim more lives Afghanistan Koran protests claim more lives
(40 minutes later)
Thousands of enraged Afghans have taken to the streets for a fourth day, after US soldiers inadvertently set fire to copies of the Koran.Thousands of enraged Afghans have taken to the streets for a fourth day, after US soldiers inadvertently set fire to copies of the Koran.
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.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.
More than 20 people have been killed since the unrest began, including two US soldiers who died on Thursday.More than 20 people have been killed since the unrest began, including two US soldiers who died on Thursday.
President Barack Obama has apologised for the Koran-burning incident.President Barack Obama has apologised for the Koran-burning incident.
In a letter to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama said the books had been "unintentionally mishandled".In a letter to his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, Mr Obama said the books had been "unintentionally mishandled".
US personnel apparently put the books into a rubbish incinerator at Bagram air base, near Kabul.US personnel apparently put the books into a rubbish incinerator at Bagram air base, near Kabul.
Spreading unrestSpreading unrest
Most of the deaths reported on Friday were in western Herat province, which had seen little unrest previously.Most of the deaths reported on Friday were in western Herat province, which had seen little unrest previously.
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. After the anger expressed in the Afghan parliament on Wednesday, where mullahs were prompted to encourage demonstrations, it was certain that protests would last until Friday.
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 fact that crowds targeted police stations shows how frustrations were driven not just by Koran burnings but also by issues such as such insecurity, poor governance, corruption and unemployment.
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. Afghan forces, particularly the intelligence agency, clearly need to improve their performance as they failed for a second day to identify groups and individuals wanting to take advantage of the chaos. Some protesters in Kabul were armed and managed to open fire on the police.
It seems likely that protests will fizzle out on Saturday, unless there is appetite in the establishment for more anger to be vented. But it will take the US a long time to repair its image, and this may prove a costly mistake in the campaign to win hearts and minds.
A group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat city, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured.A group of demonstrators tried to attack the US consulate in Herat city, burning police vehicles and leaving several officers injured.
Hospital officials confirmed four people had been killed, but it was unclear how they had died.Hospital officials confirmed four people had been killed, but it was unclear how they had died.
Another four people died near the town of Adraskan, 70km (45 miles) south of Herat city.Another four people died near the town of Adraskan, 70km (45 miles) south of Herat city.
Elsewhere in Afghanistan: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
  • 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.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.""Working together with the Afghan leadership is the only way for us to correct this major error and ensure that it never happens again."
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.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.
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 hard-line 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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