Taliban attacks in Kabul ‘a message to Nato’

Gunmen launched multiple attacks in Kabul assaulting Western embassies in the heavily guarded, central diplomatic area and at the parliament in the west.

Attackers fired a rocket-propelled grenade into a house used by British diplomats in the city centre and smoke billowed from the building after the blast, a witness said. Two rockets hit a British Embassy guard tower in the city.

Foreign Secretary William Hague condemned the attacks but said there were no British injuries: “I am pleased to report that every member of Embassy staff is safe and that there has been limited damage to Embassy premises. I would also like to praise the staff in the British Embassy, who dealt with this dangerous situation extremely professionally.

“The Afghan National Security Forces responded to the attacks bravely, promptly and effectively, once again illustrating the significant progress that has been made in ensuring that Afghans can look after their own security.”

The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying their main targets were the British and German embassies and the headquarters of Afghanistan’s Nato-led force.

Speaking to Channel 4 News Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “It is a message to Nato, whose spokesman recently said that there are no signs of a Taliban Spring offensive.”

He added that the attacks were revenge for the burning of the Koran at a US airbase, the shooting of civilians and alleged sexual harassment of Afghan children by soldiers.

“Mujahideen major attacks have now set in motion this year’s Spring offensive. We ask the Nato leadership, they must open eyes,” he said.

Channel 4 News Chief Correspondent Alex Thomson blogs on the implications of the latest attacks:

"All around arterial roads into Kabul you will see armed road checks with signs where red letters declare the "Ring of Steel" around Kabul.

"The ring has been compromised today to a degree not seen. A failure of that ring is an ominous sign of things to come as Nato prepares to leave Afghanistan."

Read more from Alex Thomson on the latest attacks in Afghanistan.

Isaf spokesman Brigadier General Carsten Jacobson told Channel 4 News the fact international forces had not been called on to help Afghan forces deal with the attack was “very promising”.

He added: “There is still very much an active insurgency but it’s losing the ability to control operations and execute large scale operations at a rapid pace while Afghan security forces show more and more confidence and capability to deal with type of attack.

“The important thing is that we are sticking to the timetable which we are carefully coordinating with the Afghan government in respect to the transfer of security services.”