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Gunbattle Erupts in Afghan Capital

   VOA News 18 January 2010
   Afghan security forces

Photo: AP

   Afghan security forces are at the scene of an attack in central Kabul,
   Afghanistan, 18 Jan 2010

   Taliban gunmen have launched a major assault on Afghanistan's capital,
   targeting government ministries and other buildings.
   Gunfighting   erupted  Monday  morning  between  security  forces  and
   militants,  some wearing suicide vests, in the heart of Kabul near the
   Presidential Palace.
   Media  reports  say  the  clash  has started to spread beyond the city
   center with a blast at a movie theater.
   Several  explosions  have  rocked the city and smoke continues to rise
   across  Kabul  as  joint  security  forces  continue  to fight off the
   attackers.
   Afghan  President  Hamid  Karzai  says  the situation has been largely
   brought under control.
   The  U.S.  Special  representative  to  Afghanistan  has condemned the
   Taliban's  attack  as  the  work of "desperate" and "ruthless" people.
   Richard  Holbrooke said the attack was "not surprising," and he warned
   that more assaults should be expected.
   The  International  Security  Assistance Force says it is working with
   Afghan police and troops to "aggressively contain" the situation.
   A  Taliban  spokesman  has told media organizations that the group has
   sent  20  suicide bombers to strike government buildings in the center
   of Kabul.
   In  a  statement the ISAF says several explosions were reported near a
   shopping   center  and  the  five-star  Serena  Hotel,  used  by  many
   Westerners.  Guests  were escorted to the basement of the hotel, which
   was set ablaze.
   There  are reports that at least four of the suicide bombers are dead.
   Some  28 other people, including civilians and members of the security
   forces,  have  been  wounded.  The Associated Press says at least five
   people other than militants have been killed.
   The  attack  happened  on  the  day  new members of President Karzai's
   Cabinet  were to be sworn in.  However, Afghanistan's Parliament still
   has not approved 10 of President Karzai's cabinet choices.
   Last  year  was  the  deadliest for Afghan civilians and international
   troops in Afghanistan since the U.S.-led invasion in late 2001 toppled
   the Taliban.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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