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Herat attack: Afghanistan Taliban target US consulate | Herat attack: Afghanistan Taliban target US consulate |
(3 days later) | |
US and Afghan forces have fought off an attack by Taliban insurgents on the US consulate in the western city of Herat. | US and Afghan forces have fought off an attack by Taliban insurgents on the US consulate in the western city of Herat. |
Two Afghan police and one security guard were killed in the dawn assault, along with seven attackers. The US consulate said its staff were safe. | Two Afghan police and one security guard were killed in the dawn assault, along with seven attackers. The US consulate said its staff were safe. |
The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which began with a huge blast at the compound gates, sparking a gun battle near consulate buildings. | The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which began with a huge blast at the compound gates, sparking a gun battle near consulate buildings. |
Attacks continue despite the planned withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014. | Attacks continue despite the planned withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014. |
Seventeen civilians, including women and children, were injured in the Herat attack. | Seventeen civilians, including women and children, were injured in the Herat attack. |
Herat sits close to the Iranian border on a vital trade route across southern Afghanistan and it has been relatively peaceful in recent years. | Herat sits close to the Iranian border on a vital trade route across southern Afghanistan and it has been relatively peaceful in recent years. |
The US consulate in Herat was opened just four years ago in a former five-star hotel. | The US consulate in Herat was opened just four years ago in a former five-star hotel. |
The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says this attack - carried out in the shadow of the anniversary of 9/11 - is a demonstration of the ability of insurgents to disrupt Afghanistan, 12 years after US-led forces toppled the Taliban. | The BBC's David Loyn in Kabul says this attack - carried out in the shadow of the anniversary of 9/11 - is a demonstration of the ability of insurgents to disrupt Afghanistan, 12 years after US-led forces toppled the Taliban. |
In violence elsewhere, a truck bomb exploded near government offices in the volatile south-eastern province of Paktika, injuring several Afghan security personnel. | In violence elsewhere, a truck bomb exploded near government offices in the volatile south-eastern province of Paktika, injuring several Afghan security personnel. |
'Extensive damage' | 'Extensive damage' |
The force of the explosions in Herat left the road badly damaged and pieces of twisted metal and rubble could be seen in the vicinity of the consulate, reports say. | The force of the explosions in Herat left the road badly damaged and pieces of twisted metal and rubble could be seen in the vicinity of the consulate, reports say. |
An Afghan army spokesman told the BBC that a huge truck bomb damaged the outer defences of the US consulate, allowing the attackers to breach the perimeter and shoot at the consulate buildings. | An Afghan army spokesman told the BBC that a huge truck bomb damaged the outer defences of the US consulate, allowing the attackers to breach the perimeter and shoot at the consulate buildings. |
"A truck carrying attackers drove to the front gate, and attackers, possibly firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles, commenced attacking Afghan Protective forces on the exterior of the gates," US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters. | "A truck carrying attackers drove to the front gate, and attackers, possibly firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles, commenced attacking Afghan Protective forces on the exterior of the gates," US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters. |
"Shortly after, the entire truck exploded, extensively damaging the front gate [to the consulate]," she added. | "Shortly after, the entire truck exploded, extensively damaging the front gate [to the consulate]," she added. |
The gunfire continued for some time, reporters at the scene said. | The gunfire continued for some time, reporters at the scene said. |
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) tweeted at 04:00 GMT that the consulate was secure "with all enemy forces being killed". Isaf and Afghan National Security Forces were at the scene, it added. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) tweeted at 04:00 GMT that the consulate was secure "with all enemy forces being killed". Isaf and Afghan National Security Forces were at the scene, it added. |
Peter Bezkorowajnyj, who works in Afghanistan, told the BBC he could see smoke from the explosion from the roof of his building. | |
The explosion "rocked the building I am staying in", he said. | The explosion "rocked the building I am staying in", he said. |
Earlier this month Taliban targeted the Torkham US base in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a lengthy gun battle in which three insurgents were killed. | Earlier this month Taliban targeted the Torkham US base in eastern Afghanistan, sparking a lengthy gun battle in which three insurgents were killed. |