The Taliban took credit for an attack that killed upwards of seven people, including UN employees, at a guest house in Kabul. Reuters reported that four UN employees were killed in the attack (Geo News claimed three UN employees and four others were killed), which was carried out by a team of gunmen. The Taliban assault team stormed the compound and reportedly took some hostages. Afghan security forces battled the Taliban fighters inside the UN guest house. The Taliban also fired a rocket at the posh Serena Hotel (which was the scene of a similar armed assault in early 2008) and at the presidential compound.
The attack was likely carried out by the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani Network, which has directed the major strikes in Kabul. Most recently, a suicide bomber detonated outside the Indian embassy, killing 17 people and damaging the embassy and surrounding buildings.
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And in a “man bites dog” development, even Amnesty International is suggesting this could be a war crime:
http://is.gd/4FXfW
“In a public statement on Wednesday, Amnesty International reminded the Taleban that attacks targeting civilians constitute war crimes. The organization said that if, as the Taleban suggest, this attack is part of a strategy of widespread or systematic attacks on the civilian population, carried out in pursuit of the Taleban’s policy of disrupting the upcoming elections, this attack could also constitute a crime against humanity. War crimes and crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes under international law. Amnesty International said that the Taleban must immediately end such attacks. Those suspected of carrying the attacks out or ordering them must be brought to justice.”
Here here! Anyone at the U.N. or ICC brave enough to start the charges rolling?