Responsibility for the blast in Jalalabad was immediately claimed by the Taliban, who stated it was an act of revenge for the burning that has provoked an outcry in Afghanistan, igniting a series of demonstrations and fatalities.
Since the incident became public last Tuesday, around 40 individuals have lost their lives in protests and related violence, including four U.S. soldiers – two of whom were shot by a supposedly reliable Afghan driver within a secure ministry in central Kabul.
Concerned about the potential resurgence of anti-foreigner sentiments, NATO, France, Britain, and the U.S. have withdrawn their advisers from Afghan ministries.
An apology was issued by President Barack Obama regarding the burning of Korans, which were allegedly utilized to convey messages between prisoners inside the large U.S. base at Bagram, located 40 miles from Kabul.
To restore peace, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has appealed for calm, urging his fellow citizens to not let insurgents exploit their anger for violent purposes; however, protests and killings have persisted.
Among those killed were six civilians, two airport guards, and a soldier, as stated by him. Furthermore, he mentioned that six other individuals were injured, and at least four vehicles were destroyed in the explosion.
No international personnel were killed in the assault, and the base remained intact, confirmed Capt. Justin Brockhoff, spokesman for NATO forces.
To focus on discussions on how to address the violence, Afghan officials, which include the ministers of defense and interior, have canceled their scheduled visits to Washington for the upcoming week in favor of remaining in Kabul.
The Taliban also took responsibility for the killing of the two U.S. officers, claiming that supporters aided their entry into the compound due to the outrage stemming from the Koran burning. No arrests have been made regarding the killings as of yet.
According to officials, eight shots were inflicted on the men – two aimed at the first victim and eight at the second.
The intense anger arising from the burning of the Koran, which Muslims hold sacred as the literal word of God, has underscored the difficulties that lie ahead as Western forces work to mitigate violence and pursue some degree of reconciliation with the Taliban.
The United Nations has also scaled back its operations, relocating its international staff from an office in Kunduz, a northern city that was targeted during protests on Saturday, as stated by the organization.
The decision to evacuate was made ‘to implement additional arrangements and measures ensuring the office can continue to function safely,’ the UN mentioned, adding that this action is temporary and that staff will be moved to other locations within Afghanistan.
Despite the withdrawal, the commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan asserted that the partnership with the Afghan government remains robust.
General John Allen stated in a comment condemning the Jalalabad bombing, ‘We are unwavering in our commitment to support our Afghan partners and will leverage our extensive resources to eliminate this merciless insurgency.’
The attack has led NATO, Britain, and France to recall hundreds of international advisers from Afghan ministries.
These advisers play a crucial role in enhancing governance and training the country’s security forces to assume greater responsibilities as the drawdown of Western forces approaches in 2014.
A heightened threat warning for American citizens in Afghanistan was issued by the U.S. Embassy, leading many Westerners to be placed on ‘lock down,’ meaning they are prohibited from leaving their fortified facilities.
‘Tensions are exceedingly high here. It’s imperative that we allow time for things to settle, return to a more normal environment, and then continue our business,’ stated Ambassador Ryan Crocker.
‘This is not the moment to conclude that our work here is finished. We must intensify our efforts. We need to establish a situation that prevents Al Qaeda from returning.’
by Mike Hansom
