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June 28, 2011

Breaking: Taliban Attack Intercontinental Hotel In Kabul

Topics: Afghanistan

Breaking, so the details could change.

CNN reports (emphsis and edit mine):

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A group of people (Islamic extremists of the Taliban) using bombs and small arms attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul Tuesday, and fighting was ongoing with Afghan security forces, Chief of Criminal Investigation Mohammed Zahir told CNN.

Among the attackers were suicide bombers, he said.

A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, said a group of Taliban bombers was responsible for the 10 p.m. attack on the hotel, which is popular among international guests. There were no immediate details on casualties.

A news conference had been scheduled to take place Wednesday in the hotel to discuss the planned transition of security from international to Afghan forces. The hotel is on a hill on the outskirts of Kabul and is typically protected by heavy security.

Three Taliban penetrated that security, and one of them detonated an explosion on the second floor, said Erin Cunningham, a journalist in Kabul for The National. "We're continuing to hear small-arms fire right now," she told CNN from a vantage about 500 meters from the hotel. Several snipers were on the roof firing at Afghan security forces.

As Allahpundit aptly notes, this sounds rather Mumbai-esque. The hotel's power has reportedly been cut, presumably by the bombers. Why would the attackers bother doing so if this is a simple suicide-bomb mission. Alternate theory: Like Mumbai, this is not a simple suicide-bomb mission.

Associated Press reporters at the scene heard bursts of gunfire and saw shooting from the roof of the five-story Inter-Continental hotel that sits on a hill overlooking the city. Police ordered bystanders to lay on the ground for safety. There was no immediate word on casualties in the rare, nighttime attack in the Afghan capital.

A guest who was inside also said he heard gunfire echoing throughout the building. Streets leading to the hotel were blocked and the electricity was out ...

Azizullah, an Afghan police officer who uses only one name, told an Associated Press reporter at the scene that at least one bomber entered the hotel and detonated a vest of explosives. Another police officer, who would not disclose his name, said there were at least two suicide bombers.

As Allahpundit goes on to point out, the New York Times says there could be as many as six suicide bombers on the scene, and reportedly at least three are carrying light and heavy weapons.

According to a Taliban spokesman, who took credit for the attack on behalf of the group, the attackers "are breaking into each room and they are targeting the 300 Afghans and foreigners who are staying." Systematic murder, in other words, not indiscriminate explosions; presumably, they're wearing vests in case they're cornered by U.S. and Afghan troops and want to take a few with them at the moment of truth.

Surely, there's much more to come on this. I'm anxious to see how the media spins this attack in the context of Obama's withdrawal announcement.

Posted by Richard at June 28, 2011 4:22 PM

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• Breaking: Taliban Attack Intercontinental Hotel In Kabul - Jun 28, 2011