This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/taliban-attacks-western-guest-house-afghan-officials-say/2014/03/28/d28af42c-b681-11e3-a7c6-70cf2db17781_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Taliban attacks Western guest house, Afghan officials say Taliban attacks Western guest house, killing two Afghans
(about 2 hours later)
KABUL — The Taliban attacked the offices of a U.S.-based charity on Friday, a complex assault that comes just over a week before the country’s presidential election. KABUL — The Taliban attacked the offices of a U.S.-based charity Friday, a complex assault that comes just over a week before the country’s presidential election.
The suicide bomb and gun attack was directed at the Roots of Peace facility in the Kart-e-Char neighborhood of southwestern Kabul, the organization’s founder and chief executive, Heidi Kuhn, confirmed in an e-mail. The attack, involving a car bomb and three gunmen, was directed at the Roots of Peace facility in the Kart-e-Char neighborhood of southwestern Kabul, the organization’s founder and chief executive, Heidi Kuhn, confirmed in an e-mail.
There was no immediate word of casualties, but Kuhn said that as of 11 a.m., the attack “was still underway.” She said she was monitoring the situation and would issue a statement soon. Two Afghans, a girl and a driver, were killed in the attack. After a standoff of several hours, 25 foreign residents of the Roots of Peace guesthouse were released when Afghan forces intervened, according to interior ministry spokesman Seddiq Seddiqi.
A Reuters report from Kabul quoted local officials and the Roots of Peace director in the country saying that several people, including as many as three U.S. citizens, were trapped inside the building. As many as 18 other people of various nationalities were reported to have been evacuated.
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 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 left Kabul, fearing continued violence.
It remains unclear whether there have been injuries or casualties to staff or others associated with the organization. Although the attack proved to be less deadly than previous assaults on high-profile targets, it adds to an already-tense security environment. The Taliban have pledged to execute attacks across the country that would threaten voters and destabilize the country’s fragile political process. The election is scheduled for April 5.
At least one assailant remained in the house, and gunfire could be heard from the street. In recent months, there appears to have been a shift in Taliban tactics, resulting in a more concerted effort to target foreign civilians in Kabul.
The Taliban in a statement referred to their target as a guest house used by foreigners and a “church used to convert Afghans.” After last week’s attack on the Serena hotel, which left nine people dead, two groups of election observers — the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – both withdrew their employees from the country.
Roots of Peace is a California-based nonprofit 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 of dollars in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development. In a statement Friday, the Taliban said it had attacked the Roots of Peace guesthouse because it was used by foreigners as a “church used to convert Afghans.”
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi said four gunmen were involved in the attack. It start with the detonation of a suicide bomb, after which other assailants entered the building. But the nonprofit has not stated religious affiliation. Roots of Peace is a California-based group 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 of dollars in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“One of them blew up a car full of explosives, and three went inside,” he said. “We believe foreigners are inside the guest house.” Although all of the organization’s employees survived, some were reportedly injured by shattered glass.
Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Ayoub Salangi said the attack started with the detonation of a suicide bomb, after which other assailants entered the building.
“One of them blew up a car full of explosives, and three went inside,” he said.
In January, an attack on a popular Lebanese restaurant killed 21 people, including 13 foreigners. It came as a shock to expatriates here who were accustomed to dining at Western restaurants and attending parties at guesthouses. Attacks against foreign civilians were not unheard of, but they happened only sporadically.
Then, earlier this month, gunmen killed Swedish journalist Nils Horner as he conducted interviews on a busy Kabul street.
As they appear to be increasing their focus on Western targets, the Taliban has continued its attacks on the Afghan government and civilians. On Wednesday, attacks on an election commission office, a bank and a sports field killed a total of 17 Afghans.
Both U.S. and Afghan officials expect the level of violence to remain constant – and likely to rise – as next week’s elections near. But with a run-off election later this spring or summer almost inevitable, many here wonder whether the Taliban will be able to maintain its pressure on the country’s population centers for an extended period.