In a statement posted online Monday, the Taliban vowed to carry out revenge attacks on "sick-minded American savages" for a deadly shooting Sunday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The shooting is believed to have been carried out by an Army veteran who served three tours in Iraq. He apparently left his base in Panjwai district on foot shortly before 3 a.m. and walked to two nearby villages where he shot civilians as they slept in their beds. In all, sixteen people died. Afghan authorities say nine children and three women are among the dead.
After the shooting, the soldier returned to base and turned himself in to officials. He is currently in NATO custody. The suspect is reportedly a 38-year-old staff sergeant stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington state. He is married and has two children.
The Taliban promises to "take revenge from the invaders and the savage murderers for every single martyr with the help of Allah.” The group calls the shooting a "blood-soaked and inhumane crime.”
Afghan President Hamid Karzai also condemned the attack. "This is an assassination, an intentional killing of innocent civilians and cannot be forgiven," he said.
President Barack Obama released a statement saying, "I am deeply saddened by the reported killing and wounding of Afghan civilians. This incident is tragic and shocking, and does not represent the exceptional character of our military and the respect that the United States has for the people of Afghanistan," the president said
The White House said President Obama has been in touch with President Karzai about the incident. “President Obama extended his condolences to the people of Afghanistan, and made clear his Administration's commitment to establish the facts as quickly as possible and to hold fully accountable anyone responsible. The president reaffirmed our deep respect for the Afghan people and the bonds between our two countries,” the White House said.
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