Afghan officials say a total of 14 people died Tuesday in the Taliban’s nearly day-long siege on the U.S. Embassy, NATO headquarters, and Afghan police compounds in Kabul. The dead included 11 civilians and 3 police officers. At least 9 people were wounded. The U.S. Embassy and NATO headquarters said none of their staff were killed or wounded.
The siege began Tuesday when insurgents took over a building that overlooked the embassy and NATO center while other militants launched attacks against Afghan police. NATO's International Security Assistance Force said militants used the “partially-constructed, multi-story building” as cover while they attacked the embassy and NATO building with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Afghan security forces "responded immediately” and “conducted a methodical, floor-by-floor clearing operation” on the building, according to the ISAF.
"Afghan security forces responded bravely, contained the insurgents, and systematically eliminated the threat. Once again, I was impressed by the courage, skill and fighting spirit of Afghan forces. The insurgency has again failed," said ISAF commander Gen. John R. Allen.
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