US Embassy and NATO HQ in Kabul under attack

13 September 2011 11:26 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A suicide bomb and gun attack is ongoing in the centre of the Afghan capital Kabul, with a string of blasts targeting the US embassy and Nato's Isaf headquarters.Gunmen are holed up in a partly-built high-rise building nearby, exchanging sporadic gunfire with police.

The Taliban say that they are behind the attack.It comes weeks after suicide attackers stormed the city's British Council office, killing 12 people.

The Taliban said they also carried out that hours-long attack on 19 August to mark the anniversary of Afghanistan's independence from the UK in 1919.

"Today at 13:00 (08:30 GMT) at Kabul's Abdul Haq roundabout a massive suicide attack on local and foreign intelligence facilities is ongoing," said a spokesman for the Islamist group of Tuesday's attack.

Nato's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen condemned the violence, saying it was an attempt to test Afghanistan's security transition (the handover of control from Nato to Afghan-led forces) that would not succeed.

"We have confidence in the Afghan authorities' ability to deal with this situation," said Mr Rasmussen in Brussels. "Transition is on track and it will continue."

It appears to be a complex operation with a number of suicide bombers involved, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in the Afghan capital.

Around five attackers are coordinating their operation from the high rise building which is under construction just 300m from the US embassy. Our correspondent saw a rocket-propelled grenade apparently overshoot the embassy.

US marines were seen on the roof of the embassy building assessing the situation and checking their defences were robust, he adds. Military helicopters are in the area.

Western security sources said Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) headquarters was also targeted, although an Isaf spokesman would not confirm the information. (BBC)

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Comments - 10

wara Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:41 AM

After making all the mess in Afghanistan now NATO going to wash hands by giving the authority to Afghan-led forces.

lankaman Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:50 AM

It is a sure sign that the US' position as a superpower is waning and in less than a decade, it will be another Russia.

YURI Tuesday, 13 September 2011 11:55 AM

is that all you learn about US,..

ajith Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:05 PM

US UK are loosing their credibility.

Konde Bendapucheenaa Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:05 PM

They couldn't market the name Osama bin Laden same like WMD in Iraq.both end up in failure and only thing happen is US debts gone up to China

Appu Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:16 PM

Please ensure human rights of attackers!

Bambuwa Tuesday, 13 September 2011 06:33 PM

Let US & NATO learn a lesson from Afghans too....

JJX Wednesday, 14 September 2011 04:28 AM

They have to clear the mess and liberate their own country from terrorism.

Gayan Samarasekara Wednesday, 14 September 2011 04:48 AM

The US government should be responsible for its people at first place. They should be aware more of the repercussions of their reckless behaviour around the world. Before dreaming to set other countries in a democratic frame, the US government should correct itself for the protection of its own people. What's the assurance that the US government can give its people today, regarding the safety of the Americans traveling abroad?

wara Wednesday, 14 September 2011 04:52 AM

Own terrorism is better than UN/US terrorism, for sure !!!

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US Embassy and NATO HQ in Kabul under attack

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