Suicide Bomb Kills 6 Near NATO Gate in Afghanistan
A suicide bomber struck at the heart of NATO’s operation in Kabul on Saturday, killing at least six Afghan civilians in an attack that officials blamed on the Haqqani network — a militant group the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization.
The blast, which left a bloody stain on a sidewalk just outside the sprawling headquarters of the U.S.-led military coalition, came as a senior Haqqani commander interviewed by The Associated Press vowed revenge for Washington’s decision.
The Obama administration gave the Pakistan-based Haqqani network, which is linked to the Taliban, a terrorist label on Friday despite misgivings the move could further stall planned Afghan peace talks.
The commander said the Haqqani network’s military commander, Sirajuddin Haqqani, wants to carry out “80 to 100 attacks on U.S. forces in Afghanistan and 20 attacks on other NATO members” in retaliation for the terrorist declaration.
No coalition casualties were reported in Saturday’s blast, German Brig. Gen. Gunter Katz, the NATO spokesman, said.
But the insurgents’ continued ability to strike so close to NATO headquarters has undermined coalition claims of improving security as foreign troops withdraw and hand over security responsibilities to Afghan forces across the country by the end of 2014.