In Kabul, Afghanistan, an explosion near the U.S. Consulate accompanied gunfire between militants and security forces. Marie Harf, a deputy State Department spokeswoman, said the attack occurred around 6a.m. During the fight between the attackers and members of the security force, a truck exploded, nearly destroying the Consulate’s front gate. Hard said there were no U.S. casualties, as all American personal were able to take shelter.
The seven attackers were all killed, reported deputy Afghan Interior Minister, Mohammed Ayoub Salangi. Three locals, a security guard and two police officers were also killed. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. SITE intelligence group reported that the Taliban had claimed to have killed or injured dozens of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan soldiers. They also said that nine Taliban fighters died.
U.S. Ambassador James B. Cunningham responded saying, “Many Afghan civilians were killed in the attack, along with others who work for the Consulate as contractors. We are deeply saddened by this senseless loss of life.”
