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October 28, 2009
Afghanistan Taliban Kill UN Staff At Guest House, Hotel ,Presidential Palace Attacked
An Afghan security man, unseen, shows a photo of 'the believed suicide attackers' reportedly killed at the site of an attack on his cell phone to a journalist in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Gunmen attacked a guest house used by U.N. staff in the Afghan capital of Kabul early Wednesday, officials said.
Kabul, Afghanistan Taliban Kill UN Staff At Guest House, Hotel And Presidential Palace Attacked Too
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Gunmen wearing homicide vests stormed a guest house used by U.N. staff in the heart of the Afghan capital early Wednesday, killing 12 people — including six U.N. staff — officials said. The U.S. Embassy said one of the U.N. dead was American.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the early morning attack, saying it was meant as an assault on the upcoming presidential election.
At least 12 people have been killed after Taliban militants armed with automatic weapons and suicide bomb vests stormed a guest house in Kabul.
A rocket was also fired at a foreign-owned luxury Serena Hotel in the Afghan capital, forcing 100 guests into a bunker.
Another rocket struck the "outer limit" of the presidential palace but caused no casualties, presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said.
A Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the raid on the guest house, saying it was spurred by the nation's upcoming presidential election.
Injured man carried from guest house
Afghan police and United Nations officials said the 12 fatalities included six UN staff members, three attackers, two security guards and an Afghan civilian.
UN spokesman Adrian Edwards said nine other UN employees were injured in the assault, which began about dawn in the Shar-e-Naw area of the city.
Afghan forces had exchanged gunfire for hours with militants inside the building before explosives were apparently detonated, police said.
Terrified guests scurried from the building, some screaming for help and others jumping from upper floors, as flames engulfed part of the three-story building.
Smoke after the guest house assault
President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack as "an inhuman act" and called on the army and police to strengthen security around all international institutions.
The rocket at the Serena Hotel failed to explode but filled the lobby with smoke, forcing guests and employees to flee to the basement, according to an Afghan witness.
Efforts to stabilise Afghanistan have been complicated by weeks of political tension over an election in August.
The poll was marred by widespread fraud in favour of Mr Karzai, forcing a second-round vote.
The Taliban has vowed to stage attacks ahead of the run-off on November 7 and more US troops possibly being sent to the country.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack on the guest house and the Serena in a telephone call to The Associated Press, saying three militants with homicide vests, grenades and machine guns carried out the assault.
He said three days ago the Taliban issued a statement threatening anyone working on the Nov. 7 runoff election between Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah.
"This is our first attack," he said.
Afghans vote Nov. 7 in a second round election after U.N.-backed auditors threw out nearly a third of Karzai's votes from the Aug. 20 ballot, determining widespread fraud. That pushed Karzai's totals below the 50 percent threshold needed for a first round victory in the 36-candidate field.
The Taliban warned Afghans to stay away from the polls or risk attacks. Dozens of people were killed in Taliban attacks during the August balloting, helping drive down turnout.
The violence came a day after roadside bombs killed eight US soldiers.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Interesting that the violence in Afghanistan has increased since er um Obama has been president. They know a weak leader and they know he wants to get out.
Obama so are these your " moderate" Taliban??????
Posted by Wild Thing at October 28, 2009 07:50 AM
Comments
With this mentality there are no Moderates unless they wish to become dead moderates. What is so hard to understand. These people kill their own young, if for some trivial trespass against the koran.
Posted by: Mark at October 28, 2009 09:43 AM
Familiarity breeds contempt. This applies to Obama as well as the muzzies.
Posted by: Jack at October 28, 2009 11:23 AM
Let's see now if the UN pulls ot of Afghanistan like it pulled out of Iraq when they were attacked there. I don't know that the UN really does much good in a war zone.
Posted by: TomR at October 28, 2009 12:52 PM
TomR, you forget the Hamas/Israeli conflict of a year or two ago. The UN troops were the human shields for the Hamas rocket crews. Of course they're useful in a war zone!
Posted by: Jim at October 28, 2009 04:09 PM
Mark, I wish so much more people would
understand that and get it in their thick
skulls. There are no moderate Muslism.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 28, 2009 06:17 PM
Jack, it really does.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 28, 2009 06:20 PM
Tom, your right, the UN is not only
horrible but totally useless.
Posted by: Wild Thing at October 28, 2009 06:24 PM
