This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/jun/22/afghanistan-parliament-attack-live-updates
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan parliament attacked by Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen – rolling updates | Afghanistan parliament attacked by Taliban suicide bomber and gunmen – rolling updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.22am BST09:22 | |
| The assault on such a high-profile target in downtown Kabul raises fresh questions about security as Afghan forces battle a resurgent Taliban for the first time without the aid of Nato forces, AFP points out. | |
| The Taliban launched a countrywide offensive in late April, stepping up attacks on government and foreign targets in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade. | |
| The militants recently rebuffed requests from senior Afghan clerics to halt attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan even as a surge in violence has sent civilian casualties soaring. | |
| A group of suicide attackers last tried to storm parliament in 2012 as they launched coordinated attacks in several parts of the capital, including several diplomatic enclaves. | |
| Afghan authorities have repeatedly tried to jumpstart talks with the Taliban in the hope of ending the 13-year conflict, but the militants have set tough conditions, including the withdrawal of all foreign troops in Afghanistan. | |
| Nato’s combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force of about 12,500 mainly US troops has stayed on to train and support local security personnel. | |
| President Ashraf Ghani’s government has drawn criticism for failing to end growing insurgent attacks, which critics partly blame on political infighting and a lengthy delay in appointing a defence minister. | |
| Ghani last month nominated Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, a top official in the government body overseeing the country’s peace process, for the job. | |
| The post had been left vacant for months due to disagreements between Ghani and his chief executive and former presidential election rival, Abdullah Abdullah, but Stanekzai is expected to be confirmed by Afghanistan’s parliament soon. | |
| 9.17am BST09:17 | |
| More than 30 people injured | |
| Kabir Amiri, a spokesman of Kabul hospitals said 31 people, all civilians, were wounded in the attack, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul | |
| Najeeb Danish, deputy spokesman of the interior ministry, confirmed that all seven attackers were killed by the security forces after the attack. He added that up to 15 civilians were injured from the car bomb blast that targeted the gate outside the parliament building. | |
| Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed said the group deliberately targeted the parliament today because the minister of defence was due to be introduced, and there would be many high-profile officials. | |
| Apparently Masoom Stanekzai, the nominated minister, was not in the parliament at the time of the attack. | |
| 9.11am BST09:11 | |
| All attackers killed | |
| All seven attackers have been killed, according to Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry. | |
| َAfghan Police repelled terrorist attack today on AFG Parliament, killing all 7 attackers, no MP was wounded, | |
| Updated at 9.11am BST | |
| 9.06am BST09:06 | |
| Six gunmen killed | |
| Six Taliban gunmen who attacked the parliament have been killed, police said according to Reuters. | |
| Ebadullah Karimi, the Kabul police spokesman, said one Taliban fighter driving a car detonated a bomb outside parliament gates and six others took up positions near the building. Afghan forces killed six of them and all lawmakers were safe, he said. | |
| 8.59am BST08:59 | |
| There are conflicting reports about the number of people injured in the attack. Earlier Tolo News said 21 civilians were injured citing health officials. | |
| But the the director of an emergency hospital in Kabul told Sune Engel Rasmussen that there were no reliable figures because of the confusion. He said his hospital was treating three people injured in the blast, and that other hospitals were also treating wounded. | |
| 8.52am BST08:52 | |
| Today’s attack is a sign of divisions within the Taliban insurgency, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul. | |
| While some leaders might be open to reconciliation, others are less convinced that opting for a role in the established political system is the way to go. | |
| While recent attacks have been intensifying on the ground in Afghanistan, high-level Taliban leaders based in Qatar, have been meeting informally with people close to the Afghan government in attempt to restart peace talks. | |
| At a meeting in early May in Qatar, Taliban delegates promised to uphold women’s rights to education and work, were they to regain political power. A few weeks later, a Taliban delegation met with Afghan women’s rights activists in Oslo. | |
| Updated at 8.56am BST | |
| 8.42am BST08:42 | 8.42am BST08:42 |
| Ehsanullah Amiri, from the Wall Street Journal, has this photograph of a chaotic and dusty scene inside the parliament after the attack. | Ehsanullah Amiri, from the Wall Street Journal, has this photograph of a chaotic and dusty scene inside the parliament after the attack. |
| The parliament hall covered with dust after a huge blast outside of the compound. #Kabul #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/t33vNMyR1Q | The parliament hall covered with dust after a huge blast outside of the compound. #Kabul #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/t33vNMyR1Q |
| 8.37am BST08:37 | 8.37am BST08:37 |
| More than 20 injured | More than 20 injured |
| More than 20 people were injured in the attack according to Tolo News, citing health officials. | More than 20 people were injured in the attack according to Tolo News, citing health officials. |
| KABUL - 21 civilians injured in Parliament attack - incl 5 women and 3 children: health officials | KABUL - 21 civilians injured in Parliament attack - incl 5 women and 3 children: health officials |
| 8.31am BST08:31 | 8.31am BST08:31 |
| The attack comes at a time when the northern province of Kunduz has been under heavy Taliban siege for weeks, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen. | The attack comes at a time when the northern province of Kunduz has been under heavy Taliban siege for weeks, writes Sune Engel Rasmussen. |
| Over the weekend, according to a ministry of defence spokesman, Taliban forces took control over Chardara district in Kunduz. The province has become the epicentre of the Taliban’s spring offensive, and fighting there has displaced at least 6,000 families, according to humanitarian organisations. | Over the weekend, according to a ministry of defence spokesman, Taliban forces took control over Chardara district in Kunduz. The province has become the epicentre of the Taliban’s spring offensive, and fighting there has displaced at least 6,000 families, according to humanitarian organisations. |
| The parliament attack also follows several recent attacks, which have rattled the Afghan capital. On 14 May, gunmen killed 14 people, including 9 foreigners, when they stormed a guesthouse in central Kabul. | The parliament attack also follows several recent attacks, which have rattled the Afghan capital. On 14 May, gunmen killed 14 people, including 9 foreigners, when they stormed a guesthouse in central Kabul. |
| Two weeks later, on 26 May, gunmen attacked another guesthouse, housing dozens of foreign contractors, albeit without killing any of them. | Two weeks later, on 26 May, gunmen attacked another guesthouse, housing dozens of foreign contractors, albeit without killing any of them. |
| 8.28am BST08:28 | 8.28am BST08:28 |
| Afghanistan’s rolling news channel Tolo News, has footage of parliament being evacuated. One MP was shown taking video, or images, on her iPad before being ushered away | Afghanistan’s rolling news channel Tolo News, has footage of parliament being evacuated. One MP was shown taking video, or images, on her iPad before being ushered away |
| 8.22am BST08:22 | 8.22am BST08:22 |
| Kabul chief of police Abdurrahman Rahimi, told Guardian reporter Sune Engel Rasmussen that a car bomb exploded close to the parliament. | Kabul chief of police Abdurrahman Rahimi, told Guardian reporter Sune Engel Rasmussen that a car bomb exploded close to the parliament. |
| After the blast a group of armed militants attacked from the east side of parliament where they climbed onto an empty building under construction and started firing, according to Rahimi’s account. | After the blast a group of armed militants attacked from the east side of parliament where they climbed onto an empty building under construction and started firing, according to Rahimi’s account. |
| “Senators and members of lower house are all safe. We took them out,” Rahimi said, adding that a clearing operation was now underway. | “Senators and members of lower house are all safe. We took them out,” Rahimi said, adding that a clearing operation was now underway. |
| 8.17am BST08:17 | 8.17am BST08:17 |
| MP Harif Rahmani, who was inside parliament at the time of the explosions, confirms that MPs were evacuated to safety with no serious injuries. | MP Harif Rahmani, who was inside parliament at the time of the explosions, confirms that MPs were evacuated to safety with no serious injuries. |
| He told Tolo News that gunmen did not enter the building after a 20-minute battle outside. He also parliament was warned of the attack. | |
| KABUL: Rahmani says no gunmen were able to enter Parliament due to heavy security presence | KABUL: Rahmani says no gunmen were able to enter Parliament due to heavy security presence |
| KABUL - Rahmani says that Parliament was warned a few days ago that they would come under attack | KABUL - Rahmani says that Parliament was warned a few days ago that they would come under attack |
| KABUL: Rahmani says Parliament security fought attackers off for more than 20 minutes before security forces arrived | KABUL: Rahmani says Parliament security fought attackers off for more than 20 minutes before security forces arrived |
| Updated at 8.51am BST | |
| 8.11am BST08:11 | 8.11am BST08:11 |
| Suicide bomber and gunmen attacked building | Suicide bomber and gunmen attacked building |
| A Taliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked the parliament building, according to Reuters. | A Taliban suicide bomber and several gunmen attacked the parliament building, according to Reuters. |
| The attack shattered windows and forced MPs to flee the building, it said. Afghan security officials said all the politicians were safe. | The attack shattered windows and forced MPs to flee the building, it said. Afghan security officials said all the politicians were safe. |
| “A suicide bomber blew himself up just outside the parliament building and several fighters took positions in a building close to parliament,” Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters. | “A suicide bomber blew himself up just outside the parliament building and several fighters took positions in a building close to parliament,” Ebadullah Karimi, spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters. |
| Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility. | Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility. |
| “We have launched an attack on parliament as there was an important gathering to introduce the country’s defence minister,” he said by phone. | “We have launched an attack on parliament as there was an important gathering to introduce the country’s defence minister,” he said by phone. |
| Reuters points out that the attack came after a second district in two days fell to the Taliban in the north. It adds this context: | Reuters points out that the attack came after a second district in two days fell to the Taliban in the north. It adds this context: |
| Violence has spiralled in Afghanistan since the departure of most foreign forces at the end of last year and the fall of the second district raises questions about the Nato-trained Afghan security forces’ ability to fight the Taliban. | Violence has spiralled in Afghanistan since the departure of most foreign forces at the end of last year and the fall of the second district raises questions about the Nato-trained Afghan security forces’ ability to fight the Taliban. |
| Insurgents are pushing to take territory more than 13 years after the US-led military intervention that toppled the Taliban from power. | Insurgents are pushing to take territory more than 13 years after the US-led military intervention that toppled the Taliban from power. |
| The withdrawal of foreign forces and a reduction in US air strikes have allowed Taliban fighters to launch several major attacks in important Afghan provinces. | The withdrawal of foreign forces and a reduction in US air strikes have allowed Taliban fighters to launch several major attacks in important Afghan provinces. |
| The second district to fall to the Taliban on Monday was in the northern province of Kunduz. | The second district to fall to the Taliban on Monday was in the northern province of Kunduz. |
| The Taliban captured Dasht-e-Archi district a day after hundreds of militants fought their way to the centre of the adjacent district of Chardara. | The Taliban captured Dasht-e-Archi district a day after hundreds of militants fought their way to the centre of the adjacent district of Chardara. |
| “The Taliban managed to take it over this morning as the area has been surrounded for days,” Nasruddin Saeedi, the district governor who escaped to the provincial capital, Kunduz city, told Reuters by telephone. | “The Taliban managed to take it over this morning as the area has been surrounded for days,” Nasruddin Saeedi, the district governor who escaped to the provincial capital, Kunduz city, told Reuters by telephone. |
| “They are many foreign fighters with heavy machine guns. We have asked for reinforcements, but none arrived.” | “They are many foreign fighters with heavy machine guns. We have asked for reinforcements, but none arrived.” |
| The fall of the second district within a day underlines questions about Afghan forces’ ability to quell the Taliban. Afghan soldiers were preparing a counterattack to retake both districts, another local official said. | The fall of the second district within a day underlines questions about Afghan forces’ ability to quell the Taliban. Afghan soldiers were preparing a counterattack to retake both districts, another local official said. |
| 7.59am BST07:59 | 7.59am BST07:59 |
| There were chaotic scenes after the attack as the security forces struggled to cope, Fawzia Koofi, a lawmaker who was in the parliament building at the time of the attack, told Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul. | There were chaotic scenes after the attack as the security forces struggled to cope, Fawzia Koofi, a lawmaker who was in the parliament building at the time of the attack, told Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul. |
| “The parliament ceiling fell down, including the lights and everything. Then shooting started from here and there,” she said. There was a “huge lack of coordination” on part of the security forces, she added. “ | “The parliament ceiling fell down, including the lights and everything. Then shooting started from here and there,” she said. There was a “huge lack of coordination” on part of the security forces, she added. “ |
| We went to the basement but we didn’t see any security forces. We went to the basement ourselves,” she said. After thirty minutes, she said, she and other parliamentarians were able to get inside their armoured vehicles to drive to safety. | We went to the basement but we didn’t see any security forces. We went to the basement ourselves,” she said. After thirty minutes, she said, she and other parliamentarians were able to get inside their armoured vehicles to drive to safety. |
| “The enemies of Afghanistan would like to harm our democracy. We are not armed people we are just talking,” Koofi said. | “The enemies of Afghanistan would like to harm our democracy. We are not armed people we are just talking,” Koofi said. |
| 7.55am BST07:55 | 7.55am BST07:55 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Parliament under attack in Kabul as new Minister of Defense was being introduced for approval. Taliban claims responsibility. #Afghanistan | Parliament under attack in Kabul as new Minister of Defense was being introduced for approval. Taliban claims responsibility. #Afghanistan |
| Welcome to live coverage of the aftermath of an attack on the parliament building Kabul. | Welcome to live coverage of the aftermath of an attack on the parliament building Kabul. |
| A loud explosion and gunfire has occurred outside the Afghan parliament building in the western part of Kabul. | A loud explosion and gunfire has occurred outside the Afghan parliament building in the western part of Kabul. |
| The attack happened as the Afghanistan’s new defence minister, Massoom Stanekzai, was due to be vetted in parliament, according to reports. | The attack happened as the Afghanistan’s new defence minister, Massoom Stanekzai, was due to be vetted in parliament, according to reports. |
| The Taliban is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack, which is believe to involve rocket propelled grenades. | The Taliban is reported to have claimed responsibility for the attack, which is believe to involve rocket propelled grenades. |
| Attack on Afghan Parliament live boradcast: Sounds like insurgents are positioned in a building outside the parliament compund, firing RPGs. | Attack on Afghan Parliament live boradcast: Sounds like insurgents are positioned in a building outside the parliament compund, firing RPGs. |
| Television was broadcasting live from parliament when the explosion struck | Television was broadcasting live from parliament when the explosion struck |
| The head of parliament was shown on TV speaking when an explosion occurred. He initially tried to carry on speaking even after the blast shook the building. But he was then quickly ushered away by security men. | The head of parliament was shown on TV speaking when an explosion occurred. He initially tried to carry on speaking even after the blast shook the building. But he was then quickly ushered away by security men. |
| MPs were later reported to have been moved to safety, as the security forces surrounded the area. | MPs were later reported to have been moved to safety, as the security forces surrounded the area. |
| KABUL: MPs have been moved to a safe area. Security forces have surrounded area and cordoned it off pic.twitter.com/k4ky6xH6Ll | KABUL: MPs have been moved to a safe area. Security forces have surrounded area and cordoned it off pic.twitter.com/k4ky6xH6Ll |
| Inside #Parliment Photo: #Hamedhaidary pic.twitter.com/naNmAVislc | Inside #Parliment Photo: #Hamedhaidary pic.twitter.com/naNmAVislc |
| Updated at 8.02am BST | Updated at 8.02am BST |