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British embassy vehicle hit in suicide attack in Kabul British embassy vehicle hit in suicide attack in Kabul
(37 minutes later)
Four people have been killed, including at least one foreigner, and dozens more injured in a suicide bomb attack in Kabul believed to have targeted a British diplomatic convoy, local police have said. Four people have been killed, including at least one foreigner, in a suicide attack on a British diplomatic convoy in Kabul on Thursday that left diplomatic staff and dozens of bystanders injured.
The bomber on a motorcycle is believed to have attacked what authorities said was a convoy of foreign troops in the east of the Afghan capital. The bomber on a motorcycle attacked on the Jalalabad Road in east of the Afghan capital, destroying three vehicles. The area was reported to be jammed with traffic.
The area was reported to be jammed with traffic, and dozens of bystanders were injured, according to local reports.
There has been no confirmation of the casualty figures. The British embassy in the Afghan capital has confirmed that at least one of their vehicles had been attacked and four people had been hurt.There has been no confirmation of the casualty figures. The British embassy in the Afghan capital has confirmed that at least one of their vehicles had been attacked and four people had been hurt.
A spokesman for the British embassy said: “A British embassy vehicle was attacked today. There have been some injuries.A spokesman for the British embassy said: “A British embassy vehicle was attacked today. There have been some injuries.
“We are working with the relevant Afghan authorities.”“We are working with the relevant Afghan authorities.”
According to one report, a foreign national and a translator died in a bomb blast.According to one report, a foreign national and a translator died in a bomb blast.
The bombing happen around 10.30am local time.The bombing happen around 10.30am local time.
General Ayoub Salangi, the deputy interior minister, confirmed the bomber was riding a motorcycle after he had earlier indicated it had been a suicide car bomb attack.General Ayoub Salangi, the deputy interior minister, confirmed the bomber was riding a motorcycle after he had earlier indicated it had been a suicide car bomb attack.
According to the local Pajhwok news agency, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series in recent days which have killed dozens and wounded hundreds.According to the local Pajhwok news agency, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series in recent days which have killed dozens and wounded hundreds.
The bombing is the latest in a wave of attacks to hit Kabul as the majority of foreign combat troops withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of the year after 13 years of war against the Islamist Taliban and their allies. A smaller support mission will remain.The bombing is the latest in a wave of attacks to hit Kabul as the majority of foreign combat troops withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of the year after 13 years of war against the Islamist Taliban and their allies. A smaller support mission will remain.
Barack Obama recently issued new orders to increase slightly the number of troops who will stay in Afghanistan and to allow them a more significant combat role than previously envisaged.Barack Obama recently issued new orders to increase slightly the number of troops who will stay in Afghanistan and to allow them a more significant combat role than previously envisaged.
Today’s attack underlines the challenge facing the new president, former World Bank technocrat Ashraf Ghani, in tackling an insurgency that has flared up over the past months.Today’s attack underlines the challenge facing the new president, former World Bank technocrat Ashraf Ghani, in tackling an insurgency that has flared up over the past months.
Earlier this week, two explosions wounded seven army officers after a bomb attack on their bus, while a grenade blast in the diplomatic quarter claimed by the Taliban caused no casualties but led to the arrest of a suspect, officials said.Earlier this week, two explosions wounded seven army officers after a bomb attack on their bus, while a grenade blast in the diplomatic quarter claimed by the Taliban caused no casualties but led to the arrest of a suspect, officials said.
Two US soldiers were also reported to have been killed when their vehicle was hit by a bomb in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday.Two US soldiers were also reported to have been killed when their vehicle was hit by a bomb in the Afghan capital Kabul on Monday.
On Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in a crowd of spectators at a volleyball match in Afghanistan, killing more than 50 people.On Sunday, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest in a crowd of spectators at a volleyball match in Afghanistan, killing more than 50 people.
The variety in targets of that attacks has led experts to believe that different factions are behind them.The variety in targets of that attacks has led experts to believe that different factions are behind them.
The Taliban have long sought to use violence in Kabul itself to undermine confidence in the Afghan government and its foreign supporters, as well as to sap backing for continued involvement in the country in the west.The Taliban have long sought to use violence in Kabul itself to undermine confidence in the Afghan government and its foreign supporters, as well as to sap backing for continued involvement in the country in the west.
While Afghanistan’s military and police remain in control of all 34 provincial capitals, violence has risen in the last year and the rate of casualties suffered by local security forces has been described by the US military as unsustainable.While Afghanistan’s military and police remain in control of all 34 provincial capitals, violence has risen in the last year and the rate of casualties suffered by local security forces has been described by the US military as unsustainable.
As foreign troops withdraw, Taliban militants have intensified assaults on government troops, particularly in provinces in the east and south.As foreign troops withdraw, Taliban militants have intensified assaults on government troops, particularly in provinces in the east and south.
Around 4,600 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed already in 2014, more than 6% higher than the same period of 2013.Around 4,600 members of the Afghan security forces have been killed already in 2014, more than 6% higher than the same period of 2013.
This year has also been one of the bloodiest for Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations, which recorded nearly 5,000 deaths and injuries of civilians in the first half of the year.This year has also been one of the bloodiest for Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations, which recorded nearly 5,000 deaths and injuries of civilians in the first half of the year.