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2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat

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2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Location of Herat Province in Afghanistan
LocationHerat, Afghanistan
Date13 September 2013
5.30 am
TargetU.S. consulate
Attack type
Truck bombing, mass shooting
WeaponsTruck bomb, assault rifles, RPGs
Deaths8 attackers, 8 guards, and 1 Afghan policeman
Injured20
PerpetratorsTaliban

The U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan was attacked on September 13, 2013, by a group of Taliban militants.[1] Reports indicated that the assault began at 5:30 am on the front gate of the consulate. A large truck drove up to the consulate's primary vehicle entry point and detonated a massive improvised explosive charge, causing extensive damage.[2] A minivan carrying an assault team armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades arrived and opened fire, moving into the consulate compound. Then, the driver of the minivan ignited a bomb inside the minivan, which exploded a short time afterwards.[3] Eight Afghan members of the consulate's guard force and one Afghan police officer were killed. An unknown number of bystanders were wounded.[4] A gun battle ensued, and all seven attackers were killed. No Americans were killed or seriously injured. The U.S. Department of State awarded Heroism Awards to several of the consulate's defenders.[5]

The Taliban took credit for the attack in an emailed statement.[6]

In a press release, the United Nations condemned the attack "in the strongest terms."[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Taliban Militants Attack US Consulate in Afghanistan". Voice of America News. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Taliban Attacks U.S. Consulate in Afghanistan". Wall Street Journal. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Diplomatic Security Year in Review 2013" (PDF).
  4. ^ Spero, Domani (15 September 2013). "US Consulate Herat Casualties: One Afghan Police, Eight Local Guards Killed". Diplopundit. Retrieved 2016-01-10.
  5. ^ "U.S. Department of State Awards". United States Department of State. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  6. ^ "U.S. troops join Afghans to repulse attack on consulate in Herat". McClatchy News. 13 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  7. ^ "UN Security Council Press Statement: Taliban attack on US Consulate in Herat". The United Nations (Press release). September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
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