Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Taliban Attack U.S.-Based Aid Group Office in Afghan Capital, Kill 5
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
May 8, 2019

Share

KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters attacked the offices of a U.S.-based aid organization in the Afghan capital Wednesday, setting off a huge explosion and battling security forces in an assault that lasted more than six hours and killed at least five people, the Interior Ministry said.

“We are incredibly saddened by this attack and are working as quickly as possible to account for our staff.” — Counterpart International statement

Dozens of civilian vehicles and shops were either destroyed or damaged, and several buildings also were damaged. A large plume of smoke rose from the area and the sound of sporadic gunfire could be heard.

The ministry’s statement said four civilians and a police officer were killed and 24 others were wounded in the assault. It was not immediately clear if any foreigners were killed or wounded.

The ministry’s statement said the attack ended after all five insurgents were killed by Afghan forces. “Around 200 people were rescued from both buildings within the compound,” it said.

The attack targeted U.S.-based aid organization Counterpart International, which has offices near those of the Afghan attorney general, said Interior Ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi. The group’s offices are in a compound with two five-story buildings.

“We are incredibly saddened by this attack and are working as quickly as possible to account for our staff,” the organization said in a statement on its website. “Their safety and security is our primary concern.”

Photo of an injured man talking on the phone after the explosion in Kabul
An injured man talks on his mobile phone after an explosion Wednesday in Kabul. The Taliban attacked the offices of an international NGO called Counterpart International, in the Afghan capital, in an assault that wounded at least nine people, officials said. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Taliban Said They Would Continue Their Attacks During Ramadan

Johan Bass, U.S. ambassador in Afghanistan, strongly condemned the attack on the NGO. He said the targeted organization helps local communities, trains journalists and supports the Afghan people.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in a statement also condemned the insurgents for deliberately targeting a civilian aid organization.

“Today’s attack was particularly deplorable, hitting civilians helping Afghans.” — United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan statement

“Today’s attack was particularly deplorable, hitting civilians helping Afghans,” the statement said.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group attacked the organization because it was involved in “harmful Western activities” inside Afghanistan, without elaborating.

Taliban insurgents stage near-daily attacks on Afghan forces, even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to the country’s 17-year war.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called for peace with the Taliban last week and promised to free 175 Taliban prisoners ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began Monday.

The Taliban said they would continue their attacks during Ramadan, but would be “very careful of civilians during any operation.”

The insurgents have rejected past cease-fire proposals, saying U.S. and NATO troops must withdraw from the country first. The Taliban also refuse to negotiate directly with the government in Kabul, seeing it as a U.S. puppet.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Italy Has No Indication of Imminent Israeli Attack on Iran

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

31 minutes ago

Mexican Flags at LA Protests Are Dividing America

32 minutes ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

SAN DIEGO — Teoscar Hernández broke a sixth-inning tie with a three-run homer and Michael Conforto also went deep for the Los Angeles Dodger...

4 minutes ago

4 minutes ago

Teoscar Hernández Hits a 3-Run Homer and the Dodgers Beat the Padres to Win the Series

8 minutes ago

Giants Rally Again to Beat Lowly Rockies for 7th Straight Win

A wildfire burning near Avenue 7 1/2 and River Drive in Madera Valley has scorched 12 acres with zero containment as of Thursday, June 12, 2025, morning. (CalFire)
8 minutes ago

Wildfire Burns in Madera County With No Containment

Palestinians gather to collect what remains of relief supplies from the distribution center of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 5, 2025. (Reuters/Stringer)
31 minutes ago

Humanitarian Workers Killed in Gaza Ambush Blamed on Hamas, Internet Cut in Territory

32 minutes ago

Mexican Flags at LA Protests Are Dividing America

A Tesla vehicle next to an EVgo charging station in Mill Valley, Calif., April 7, 2025. President Donald Trump signed joint resolutions of Congress on Thursday, June 12, that block California’s effort to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles, his latest attempt to reduce the power of the nation’s most populous state. (Rachel Bujalski/The New York Times)
40 minutes ago

Trump Blocks California EV Rules in Latest Move to Rein In the State

1 hour ago

Wired Wednesday: Untangling Community Health’s Kickback Scheme

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to the media with Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (not pictured) after their bilateral meeting at Villa Madama in Rome, Italy, June 12, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
2 hours ago

Italy Has No Indication of Imminent Israeli Attack on Iran

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend