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| ©CS Monitor |
Reuters
KABUL, July 30 (Reuters) - "Anti-government elements" in Afghanistan attacked the main U.N. compound in the capital of the western province of Herat on Friday and at least one security guard was killed, the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.
The attack, involving rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, happened hours after Taliban fighters penetrated deep into Herat city, and there were heavy clashes with Afghan security forces near the UNAMA provincial headquarters, officials said.
It also came as U.S.-led foreign forces near a complete withdrawal of troops and Afghan security forces struggle to hold back Taliban fighters in three major provincial capitals.
In a statement following the attack, the United Nations said it was urgently seeking to establish a full picture of the assault and was in contact with the relevant parties.
Editor's note: Following received by Nuzhat Shahzadi who had written to colleagues in Herat. "There was fighting in Guzzarah and someone shot at HMAC UNAMA compound armed guards at outside gate and killed one and injured two. We all at unicef is ok and fine and the life is back to Normal in Herat city. We all are worried a lot
ReplyDeleteUNAMA unops, IOM are staying in UN compound at Pashto on pul. UNICEF who Unfpa undp OCHA are staying in one compound in Herat city next to WFP compound. WFP moved to their warehouse and unicef also rented their comound and annexed it within our compound
Thank you chief"
last night we heard from a UNICEF-staff member from Herat. I was so nervous, thinking the worst . . .bless his soul he responded right away.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was there, Pashtun pol was an extremely dangerous location to cross from town to our office and constantly came under rocket attacks. Staff were afraid to cross that spot in office pick up cars. So finally, I decided to move the office in town and established our guest house there as well. Catherine agreed and so did NY.
Many of the children were born while I worked in Herat and some were toddlers and primary school goers. Now they are adolescents/young adults. Every time I hear anything about Herat, my heart stops. They were my family in that distant place. HMAC-UNAMA is the multi-agency compound. In Oct 2010 four sucide bombers attacked it and blew themselves up. As the ASC in charge I evacuated the entire UN international staff to NATO HQ in Herat. UNDSS hid in the bunker till we rescued everyone. Eventually, I was evacuated from Afghanistan and sent to NY. I was put on special leave for nine months with full pay––after I was compelled to argue with Aruna and demanded to meet with Tony Lake . . . it worked! Even today, the agency has no proper strategy for front line staff . . . I get so frustrated.
Thank you for listening!
Nuzhat