Before It’s News – by Josey Wales
Bengahzi all over again. America has become the country that was once respected and feared, to the country that is weak, and easily attacked without consiquence.
Now the American consulate in the Afghan province of Herat was under attack on Thursday night.
There are reports that at least three people and have been killed and 17 others injured in an apparent Taliban attack on the United States consulate in Herat, Afghanistan.
This brutal attack began at about 6am local time (2am GMT) on Friday when a powerful car bomb exploded about 60m from the consulate compound, said Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of Herat province.
Loud explosions followed by gunfire were heard and a plume of thick smoke was seen rising over the city, in the west of Afghanistan.
Other fighters then began firing on security forces in the area. Two policemen and a consulate security guard were reported killed and 17 others – including four women and two other police – were injured.
The Epochtimes reported on more of the details of this attack below.
The Associated Press reported that the car bomb went off outside the US consulate in western Afghanistan, wounding seven civilians. An Afghan translator was killed and police were injured.
The U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force said that members of the Afghan National Security Forces are on the scene, describing the situation as “developing.” It later said that consulate security “defeated the attackers.”
On Twitter, reports said there were fires and explosions outside of the building. Some reports said another car bomb was detonated.
Insurgents with the Taliban told the BBC that a suicide bomber detonated explosives before other fighters came in and attacked.
The bomber detonated the bomb around 66 yards from the consulate building, according to AP, citing Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi, the governor of Herat Province.
Militants started firing at security forces nearby, he said.
Gen. Rahmatullah Safi, a police chief, said the situation was brought under control and security forces are searching for militants who may have escaped, AP reported.
Facebook user Ekramuddin Malikzada, who claims to work in Herat, uploaded a video that purportedly shows the aftermath of the attack.
Voice of America’s Ashna Radio Dari reported that the consulate was attacked via a “vehicle-bourne suicide” bomber.
Barry J Reed, a Twitter user who lives in Herat, wrote that it “lasted about 30-35 minutes. Black smoke obscured my view. Don’t think they made it far inside compound.”
“Large explosion (assume vehicle) fire at first gate. Then series of smaller explosions (assume suicide vests). Maybe 5-7. Then gunfire,” he wrote, adding that he hears “no gunfire now.”
Last week, the Iranian consulate in Herat was the site of violent protests that killed at least one person, reported RFERL.
In recent years, attacks in Afghanistan have moved toward the north and west parts of the country, instead of in the south and east.
Another CIA, MOSSAD, MI6 dust up that will be blamed on Iran, to keep the war mongers pacified.