2013 Afghan presidential palace attack

The 2013 Afghan presidential palace attack occurred on 25 June 2013, in a highly secure zone of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan.[1][2][3]

2013 Afghan presidential palace attack
Part of War in Afghanistan
Presidential Palace in Afghanistan
LocationKabul, Afghanistan
Date25 June 2013
Attack type
Mass shooting
Deaths11
PerpetratorTaliban

The attack, claimed to be carried out by the Taliban, occurred at the eastern gate of the presidential palace around 6:30 a.m. AFT, where a group of reporters were gathering for security checks ahead of a presidential news conference.[4][5][6] Between seven and eight explosions, alleged to be suicide bombers by the Taliban, occurred outside the palace.[7] The explosions were later followed with an intense exchange of gunfire between the three or four Taliban fighters, and Afghan security officials, which lasted 90 minutes.[8][9] Obtaining fake identification, badges and vehicle passes, five of the eight Taliban members were able to clear high-level security clearances, driving two Land Cruisers similar to those used by international soldiers to penetrate the heavily fortified security zone in Kabul. All insurgents were killed in the ensuing battle with security forces.[10]

The United States Central Intelligence Agency's Afghanistan station located nearby the presidential palace was also struck by two rocket-propelled grenades during the attack.[11] Targeting the CIA's office in the Ariana Hotel, the Taliban attacked inside one of the most heavily restricted areas of Afghanistan, in downtown Kabul where the U.S. Embassy and the headquarters of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force are located.[12] The headquarters of the Afghan Ministry of Defense was also targeted in the Taliban attack.[13]

With no immediate reports of civilian casualties, it remains unclear whether several Afghan schoolchildren who were caught in the crossfire between the Taliban and security forces were harmed.[11][14] Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who was inside the palace at the time, was not injured.[15] The attack resulted in the deaths of three palace security guards, and all eight of the Taliban fighters.[16]

References
  1. Mirwais Harooni (June 24, 2013). "Taliban attack Afghan presidential palace: Reuters witnesses". Reuters.com.
  2. Nathan Hodge, Ehsanullah Amiri (June 24, 2013). "Taliban Launch Attack on Afghan Presidential Palace". The Wall Street Journal.
  3. "Afghanistan presidential palace attacked in Kabul". bbc.co.uk. June 25, 2013.
  4. Associated Press (June 25, 2013). "Taliban claim responsibility for attack on presidential palace in Kabul". abcnews.go.com.
  5. "Taliban attack Afghan presidential palace". The Sydney Morning Herald. June 25, 2013.
  6. Abby Ohlheiser. "Taliban Claim Attack on Afghanistan's Presidential Palace". theatlanticwire.com.
  7. Steve Robson (June 24, 2013). "Taliban suicide bombers attack presidential palace and CIA headquarters in Afghanistan". dailymail.co.uk.
  8. Sayed Salahuddin (June 24, 2013). "Explosions, gunfire reported at Afghan presidential compound". washingtonpost.com.
  9. Reuters (June 25, 2013). "Taliban gunmen attack presidential palace in Afghanistan". timesofindia.IndiaTimes.com.
  10. Alissa J. Rubin (June 24, 2013). "Taliban Strike Near Palace Inside Kabul". NYTimes.com.
  11. Amanda Hodge (June 25, 2013). "Kabul attack a sign Taliban intends to fight on through peace talks". theaustralian.com.au.
  12. Associated Press (June 25, 2013). "Taliban Attack Presidential Palace In Kabul". NPR.org. Archived from the original on July 11, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  13. Rahim Faiez; Associated Press (June 25, 2013). "Taliban attack presidential palace in Kabul". denverpost.com.
  14. Mirwais Harooni (June 25, 2013). "Taliban attack Afghan presidential palace". torontosun.com.
  15. Joseph Watts; London Evening Standard (June 25, 2013). "Taliban suicide attack on Presidential Palace in Kabul". standard.co.uk.
  16. Mark Memmotr (June 25, 2013). "Attackers Killed During 'Brazen Assault' Near Afghan Palace". npr.org.

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