Taliban Claim Attack on the Presidential Palace
Militants targeted the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan as journalists gathered to hear a news conference. The attack, at around 6:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday, involved multiple explosions. It was claimed by the Taliban later via text message to reporters.
Reporter including me are trapped in front of the palace, fight is on going.
— Mirwais Harooni (@MHarooni) June 25, 2013
Smoke rising over central #Kabul pic.twitter.com/yw7zYANcB5
— Nathan Hodge (@nohodge) June 25, 2013
Kabul attack updates: Taliban in text messages to journalists claim the attack saying the target was Palace, MoD & Ariana Hotel (CIA office)
— Esmatullah Kohsar (@EsmatKohsar) June 25, 2013
Here's how the AP described the scene:
"Reporters gathering for an event early Tuesday with President Hamid Karzai counted at least a half dozen explosions outside the eastern gate of the palace but it was not immediate clear whether it was a suicide bomb attack, hand grenades or both. Small arms fire also could be heard."
According to Al-Jazeera, President Karzai was likely in his office at the time of the attack.
RELATED: The Afghanistan Peace Process Is Falling Apart Before It Can Even Begin
The Taliban just opened up an office in Doha, Qatar with the stated purpose of entering into talks with the U.S. and, possibly, Afghanistan. But after the Taliban decked out their new offices with the flag and names they used when they ruled Afghanistan, Karzai understandably responded angrily. The signs have since come down. Since the original announcement of the talks, the Taliban's actions have alternated between negotiation and violence.
