2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat | |
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Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |
Location | Herat, Afghanistan |
Date | 13 September 2013 5.30 am |
Target | U.S. consulate |
Attack type | Truck bombing, mass shooting |
Weapons | Truck bomb, assault rifles, RPGs |
Deaths | 8 attackers, 8 guards, and 1 Afghan policeman |
Injured | 20 |
Perpetrators | Taliban |
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]