7 killed in Kabul in bomb, grenade attack on heels of Obama's Afghanistan visit
(CBS/AP) KABUL, Afghanistan - The Taliban struck back less than two hours after President Barack Obama left Afghanistan on Wednesday, targeting a foreigners' housing compound with a suicide car bomb and militants disguised as women in an assault that killed at least seven people.
It was the second major assault in Kabul in less than three weeks and highlighted the Taliban's continued ability to strike in the heavily guarded capital even when security had been tightened for Mr. Obama's visit and Wednesday's anniversary of the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan.
Mr. Obama arrived at Bagram Air Field late Tuesday, then traveled to Kabul by helicopter for a meeting with President Hamid Karzai in which they signed an agreement governing the U.S. presence after combat troops withdraw in 2014. Later, back at the base, he was surrounded by U.S. troops, shaking every hand. He then gave a speech broadcast to Americans back home, before ending his lightning visit just before 4:30 a.m.
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The U.S. president, who is in the midst of a re-election campaign, touted the Navy SEAL raid that killed bin Laden a year ago Wednesday, noting that the operation was launched from a base in Afghanistan.
He also said that "the tide has turned" over the last three years.
"We broke the Taliban's momentum. We've built strong Afghan security forces. We devastated al Qaeda's leadership, taking out over 20 of their top 30 leaders," he said.
But the violence that erupted about 90 minutes after his departure was a stark reminder of the difficult task still ahead for Afghan troops as they work to secure their country after U.S. and other foreign troops end their combat mission following nearly a decade at war.
The deal signed with Karzai does not commit the United States to any specific troop presence or spending. But it does allow the U.S. to potentially keep troops in Afghanistan through 2024 for two specific purposes: continued training of Afghan forces and targeted operations against al Qaeda.
The United States also promises to seek money from Congress every year to support Afghanistan.
CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark says a large initial blast caused by the car bomb was followed by a series of smaller explosions as grenades were lobbed over walls into the compound.
Kabul Deputy Police Chief Daoud Amin said those killed in the blast included four people in a station wagon that was driving past the area, a passer-by and a Nepalese security guard. He didn't have the identity of the seventh person killed. The Interior Ministry said 17 other people were wounded, most Afghan children on their way to school.
A local witness said a separate group of attackers disguised in burqas — the head-to-toe robes worn by conservative Afghan women — then tried to storm the compound.
"A vehicle stopped here and six people wearing burqas entered the alley carrying black bags in their hands. When they entered the alley, there was an explosion," said Abdul Manan.
Explosions and gunfire shook the city for hours as Afghan soldiers rushed to the scene and battled the attackers.
A Western official who had been briefed on the assault said the attackers had breached the perimeter defense, around the compound's parking areas, but had not gotten past a secondary security gate that protects the actual living areas. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
The area appeared to have calmed down by about 10 a.m. NATO said all the attackers had been killed. It did not give a number, but the Taliban said it had deployed four fighters as it claimed responsibility for the attack.
The compound, which is known as Green Village, houses hundreds of international contractors, diplomats and aid workers in eastern Kabul. It also was the target of anti-foreigner protests following the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base in February. At that time, violent protests raged outside, but the angry crowds did not breach the compound's defenses.
The compound's main gate was destroyed, with the wreckage of the suicide bomber's car sitting in front, and the road running past it was littered with shoes, books, school supplies and the bloody ID card of a student from a nearby school.
A young man who saw the explosion said the dead pedestrian was one of his fellow classmates.
"I was walking to school when I saw a very big explosion. A car exploded and flames went very high into the air," said 21-year-old Mohammad Wali. "Then I saw a body of one of my classmates lying on the street. I knew it was a suicide attack and ran away. I was so afraid."
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.
"This was a message to Obama that those are not real Afghans that are signing documents about this country," Mujahid said. "The real Afghan nation are those people that are not letting foreign invaders stay in this country or disrespect the dignity of our country."
He said the target of Wednesday's attack was a "foreign military base." A spokesman for the alliance, Capt. Justin Brockhoff, said no NATO bases came under attack.
The Green Village complex, with its towering blast walls and heavily armed security force, is very similar in appearance to NATO bases in the city. An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw a group of Afghan soldiers enter the compound, after which heavy shooting could be heard coming from inside.
Elsewhere, NATO said that two coalition service members were killed Wednesday in a bomb blast in the country's east. The alliance did not give the nationality of the troops or provide other details.
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And yet he's smarter than you. What claims to intelligence can you make. Did you get into ivy league colleges based on academic performance? were you ever President of The Harvard Law review. Did you ever teach Constitutional Law. We're you ever elected to any state senate. The economy is slowly improving ( apparently much to your chagrin). Did you play any part in that. Do you have any understanding of the health care crisis in this country. (I do I worked in the field for over 50 years.)Did you have any part in abolishing the archaic rule of Don't ask Don't tell? Did you work with the intelligence and the military community to take out Osama Bin Laden. Have you in fact ever done anything even close to the accomplishment of Our President? If he's "dumb" then you must be something less than vegetation. I doubt your insight into this situation comes even remotely close to that of our President or his military/intelligence advisers. You see broad reaching/blanket statements like yours just make you sound stupid.
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LOL! Applause!!!
This is a clear example of why we CANNOT negotiate with these insane, radical terrorists. They are completely irrational. Here President Obama is signing documents agreeing to the draw down of our troops and the turning over of the reigns to the Afghan security forces, and these morons are killing innocent people WHY??? Do they want to give us additional reason to stay in their country? Their words and their actions do not coincide. And what right have they to talk about the "dignity" of their country -- if they are any representation, then there is NO DIGNITY to be spoken of. Dignified people treat others with dignity, they don't kill them indiscriminately.
Latest Headline: 7 killed in Kabul in bomb, grenade attack on heels of Obama's Afghanistan visit
Isn't it lame-brained for a U.S. President to antagonize an Afghan faction with an "In Your Face" campaign appearance?
WHAT?! An American doctor was also killed?! Hmmm. There's no apology needed, no story here folks, just move along...
Latest Headline: 7 killed in Kabul in bomb, grenade attack on heels of Obama's Afghanistan visit
Oh well, it was Obama's "In Your Face" spike-the-ball campaign tour. It was just Afghan lives and treasure lost, not Americans. WHAT?! A U.S. doctor was killed?! Hmmm. There's no apology needed, no story here folks, just move along...
But it seems rather cowardly to me to strike after he leaves. That's like - I'm gonna Hit You....after you leave!
But since I don't know them or even know of them - that just wouldn't have the same sincerity as my concern for Obama.
Some kind of success this is that leader of the invading army has difficult staying in Afghanistan for more than few hours...
All public relation antics...
its apparent the closer we get to the election the worse its going to be for the republicans