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Taliban attacks Western guest house, Afghan officials say Taliban attacks Western guest house, Afghan officials say
(35 minutes later)
KABUL — The Taliban attacked what appeared to be a Western guest house Friday, a complex assault that comes just over a week before the country’s presidential election.KABUL — The Taliban attacked what appeared to be a Western guest house Friday, a complex assault that comes just over a week before the country’s presidential election.
There has been a surge in violence in the Afghan capital in recent weeks, including several attacks on western and high-profile Afghan targets. A number of foreign election observers and other westerners have already left Kabul, fearing continued violence.There has been a surge in violence in the Afghan capital in recent weeks, including several attacks on western and high-profile Afghan targets. A number of foreign election observers and other westerners have already left Kabul, fearing continued violence.
The casualty toll in Wednesday’s attack remains unclear. Assailants and foreigners remained in the house, and gunfire could be heard from the street.The casualty toll in Wednesday’s attack remains unclear. Assailants and foreigners remained in the house, and gunfire could be heard from the street.
The Taliban in a statement referred to their target as a guest house used by foreigners and a “church used to convert Afghans.”The Taliban in a statement referred to their target as a guest house used by foreigners and a “church used to convert Afghans.”
There were indications that the guesthouse may belong to Roots of Peace, a California-based nonprofit organization that turns former minefields into vineyards and orchards. According to their Web site, they’ve been working in Afghanistan since 2003 and have received millions in USAID funding. The guesthouse belongs to Roots of Peace, a California-based nonprofit organization that turns former minefields into vineyards and orchards. According to its Web site, the group has been working in Afghanistan since 2003 and has received millions in USAID funding.
However, the organization’s spokesman, Mohammad Shafi Anwary, could not confirm that the guesthouse under attack was the one belonging to Roots of Peace. The organization’s spokesman, Mohammad Shafi Anwary, confirmed that the guesthouse under attack was the one belonging to Roots of Peace, but said he could not comment yet on casualties.
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi said four gunmen were involved in the attack.Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi said four gunmen were involved in the attack.
“One of them blew up a car full of explosives and three went inside,” he said. “We believe foreigners are inside the guest house.”“One of them blew up a car full of explosives and three went inside,” he said. “We believe foreigners are inside the guest house.”