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Afghans Riot After US Truck Accident
allen griggs
Member Posts: 35,663 ✭✭✭✭
from Yahoo.com
Afghans riot after U.S. truck accident By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press Writer
29 minutes ago
KABUL, Afghanistan - A deadly traffic accident Monday involving U.S. troops sparked the worst rioting in the Afghan capital since the fall of the Taliban regime, with hundreds of protesters looting shops and shouting "Death to America!" At least eight people were killed and 107 injured, an official said.
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Hundreds of Afghan army troops and NATO peacekeepers in tanks were deployed around the city, as chanting protesters marched on the presidential palace and rioters smashed police guard boxes, set fire to police cars and ransacked buildings, including the compound of aid group CARE International. Computers were set on fire and smoke billowed from the buildings, according to an Associated Press reporter.
The reporter saw several demonstrators pull a man who appeared to be a Westerner from a civilian vehicle and beat him. The man escaped and ran to a line of police, who fired shots over the heads of the demonstrators.
A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition expressed regret for any deaths and injuries, and said there would be an investigation. Afghan President Hamid appealed for calm and said the government "will do its utmost to protect the lives of the people and their property."
Abdullah Fahim, a Health Ministry spokesman, said that eight bodies were brought to hospitals in Kabul and 107 more Afghans were treated for injuries.
He said there were no foreigners among the wounded or dead. He had no details on how the casualties occurred, and it wasn't immediately clear if the toll included people from the traffic accident.
The riot was the worst in Kabul since U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban in late 2001. It erupted in the city's northern suburbs before spreading into the city center and then to other areas frequented by foreigners, including areas near U.S. and NATO bases.
The unrest started after three U.S. Humvee vehicles coming into the city from the outskirts rammed into a rush-hour traffic jam, hitting several civilian cars, witnesses said.
The coalition said at least one person was killed and six injured in the crash, but police said at least three people were killed and 16 injured.
A Kabul police chief, Sher Shah Usafi, said another person was killed when U.S. troops fired into a crowd of stone-throwing protesters soon after the crash.
Col. Thomas Collins, a coalition spokesman, confirmed there was gunfire at the scene, but said coalition personnel in one military vehicle only fired over the crowd.
He said a large cargo truck in a coalition convoy had suffered a mechanical failure and hit as many as 12 civilian vehicles at a busy intersection. He said the coalition was investigating.
"This was a tragic incident and we deeply regret any deaths or injuries resulting from this incident," Collins said in a statement. "We will determine the facts regarding the incident and cooperate fully with Afghan authorities."
Afghans often complain about what they call the aggressive driving tactics of the U.S. military. Convoys often pass through crowded areas at high speed and sometimes disregard road rules. The U.S. military says such tactics are necessary to protect the troops from attack.
"Today's demonstration is because Americans killed innocent people. We will not stop until foreigners leave the city. We are looking for foreigners to kill," one protester in his late 20s, Gulam Ghaus, said near where rioters burned a police post.
AP Television News video showed hundreds of angry young men hurling rocks at what appeared to be three U.S. military trucks and three dun-colored Humvees as they sped from the area after the crash, their windscreens cracked by the stones. A machine gun mounted on one of the Humvees fired into the air over the crowd as the vehicle sped away.
The riot continued for hours into the afternoon.
AP reporters heard several 20-second bursts of heavy automatic gunfire coming from the direction of the U.S. Embassy. It subsided but gunfire was then heard sporadically.
Staff at the U.S. Embassy were moved to a secure location within the heavily fortified building, said Chris Harris, an embassy spokesman. He had no immediate information on the reported gunfire.
In other areas, rioters broke into shops and stole household items. There were unconfirmed reports from protesters that rioters also smashed windows at the five-star Serena Hotel in the city center, popular with foreign visitors.
An AP Television News cameraman and an AP reporter were beaten by protesters but not hurt.
Riots targeting foreigners have broken out before in Kabul, including during the furor early this year over cartoons published in European newspapers of the Prophet Muhammad. Also, last year, a magazine report that U.S. interrogators had sullied Islam's holy book at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay sparked anti-U.S. demonstrations around Afghanistan. In each case, about a dozen people died in the unrest nationwide.
Afghans riot after U.S. truck accident By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press Writer
29 minutes ago
KABUL, Afghanistan - A deadly traffic accident Monday involving U.S. troops sparked the worst rioting in the Afghan capital since the fall of the Taliban regime, with hundreds of protesters looting shops and shouting "Death to America!" At least eight people were killed and 107 injured, an official said.
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Hundreds of Afghan army troops and NATO peacekeepers in tanks were deployed around the city, as chanting protesters marched on the presidential palace and rioters smashed police guard boxes, set fire to police cars and ransacked buildings, including the compound of aid group CARE International. Computers were set on fire and smoke billowed from the buildings, according to an Associated Press reporter.
The reporter saw several demonstrators pull a man who appeared to be a Westerner from a civilian vehicle and beat him. The man escaped and ran to a line of police, who fired shots over the heads of the demonstrators.
A spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition expressed regret for any deaths and injuries, and said there would be an investigation. Afghan President Hamid appealed for calm and said the government "will do its utmost to protect the lives of the people and their property."
Abdullah Fahim, a Health Ministry spokesman, said that eight bodies were brought to hospitals in Kabul and 107 more Afghans were treated for injuries.
He said there were no foreigners among the wounded or dead. He had no details on how the casualties occurred, and it wasn't immediately clear if the toll included people from the traffic accident.
The riot was the worst in Kabul since U.S.-led forces ousted the Taliban in late 2001. It erupted in the city's northern suburbs before spreading into the city center and then to other areas frequented by foreigners, including areas near U.S. and NATO bases.
The unrest started after three U.S. Humvee vehicles coming into the city from the outskirts rammed into a rush-hour traffic jam, hitting several civilian cars, witnesses said.
The coalition said at least one person was killed and six injured in the crash, but police said at least three people were killed and 16 injured.
A Kabul police chief, Sher Shah Usafi, said another person was killed when U.S. troops fired into a crowd of stone-throwing protesters soon after the crash.
Col. Thomas Collins, a coalition spokesman, confirmed there was gunfire at the scene, but said coalition personnel in one military vehicle only fired over the crowd.
He said a large cargo truck in a coalition convoy had suffered a mechanical failure and hit as many as 12 civilian vehicles at a busy intersection. He said the coalition was investigating.
"This was a tragic incident and we deeply regret any deaths or injuries resulting from this incident," Collins said in a statement. "We will determine the facts regarding the incident and cooperate fully with Afghan authorities."
Afghans often complain about what they call the aggressive driving tactics of the U.S. military. Convoys often pass through crowded areas at high speed and sometimes disregard road rules. The U.S. military says such tactics are necessary to protect the troops from attack.
"Today's demonstration is because Americans killed innocent people. We will not stop until foreigners leave the city. We are looking for foreigners to kill," one protester in his late 20s, Gulam Ghaus, said near where rioters burned a police post.
AP Television News video showed hundreds of angry young men hurling rocks at what appeared to be three U.S. military trucks and three dun-colored Humvees as they sped from the area after the crash, their windscreens cracked by the stones. A machine gun mounted on one of the Humvees fired into the air over the crowd as the vehicle sped away.
The riot continued for hours into the afternoon.
AP reporters heard several 20-second bursts of heavy automatic gunfire coming from the direction of the U.S. Embassy. It subsided but gunfire was then heard sporadically.
Staff at the U.S. Embassy were moved to a secure location within the heavily fortified building, said Chris Harris, an embassy spokesman. He had no immediate information on the reported gunfire.
In other areas, rioters broke into shops and stole household items. There were unconfirmed reports from protesters that rioters also smashed windows at the five-star Serena Hotel in the city center, popular with foreign visitors.
An AP Television News cameraman and an AP reporter were beaten by protesters but not hurt.
Riots targeting foreigners have broken out before in Kabul, including during the furor early this year over cartoons published in European newspapers of the Prophet Muhammad. Also, last year, a magazine report that U.S. interrogators had sullied Islam's holy book at the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay sparked anti-U.S. demonstrations around Afghanistan. In each case, about a dozen people died in the unrest nationwide.
Comments
in this country, when given the chance!
Folks in Iraq never got to riot when Saddam was in charge.
It probably has something to do with riot troops carrying
locked and loaded weapons & carrying plenty of live ammo.[:D]
I hope that's not the case, but if a vehicular accident can cause that much outrage and damage, something's amiss and it ain't good.
This is just one example of Bush's democracy in action--for countries that never practiced such a unique Western concept. [}:)]
Now the big question, What do we do with it?
Things have been deteriorating there over the past year. Many more insurgent attacks, I think a chopper was shot down recently. This story shows a country with serious problems.
I don't know the answer there, it has been a war-torn country for centuries.
If things do go to shiite there, just remember this advice from Rudyard Kipling from 1890, when the British were garrisoning this country:
When you're lying wounded on Afghanistan's plains
And the women come out to cut up what remains
Just roll to your rifle, and blow out your brains
And go to your God like a soldier.
The problem is the ultra-conservative religious nut cases that want to roll back time to the 18th century. Those leaders are the danger in all of the Muslim countries. All the others are afraid of them because they have been in control for centuries. They are the ones constantly stiring the pot. Makes good news for the liberal press to advance the liberal agenda in the US. Help them get the Power back, thats the hidden agenda and the real goal.
Hey, everybody, there's no problem.
This is just one example of Bush's democracy in action--for countries that never practiced such a unique Western concept. [}:)]
you are such a dip s*h*i*t its pathetic. why dont you take your sorry * to afghanistan and die in a land mine set by your brothers in jihad
quote:Originally posted by HAIRY
Hey, everybody, there's no problem.
This is just one example of Bush's democracy in action--for countries that never practiced such a unique Western concept. [}:)]
you are such a dip s*h*i*t its pathetic. why dont you take your sorry * to afghanistan and die in a land mine set by your brothers in jihadGee, Albert, such a nice sentiment on Memorial Day for a retired American vet who receives disabled pay--from a tour in 'Nam.
IMHO, I earned my right to say what I think--and I paid for your right to make stupid comments and mouth off as well.
You haven't earned anything yet since you prefer sitting behind your keyboard and pretending to be a typical Bush phony super patriot. When you enlist, let me know.
One last question: Are you always such an a**hole or do you just practice it when you are awake? LMAO at you. [}:)]
Hey, I don't love Bush or ANY politician. But I sure get tired of hearing someone bash Bush even when there is no real reason to do so. Bush wasn't at the scene of that riot nor did he cause it. Muslims just love to riot, pump their fists in the air while droning "Death to (fill in the blank) with their hairy pie holes.
BTW, not that it matters but I too have an honorable discharge hanging on my hall wall and I also pay taxes. Taxes which partly go to pay your disability pension. So I, and others, have also earned the right to say what we think.
I concur with Bush that we had to take Afghanistan over, following 9-11.
Now the big question, What do we do with it?
Ship over five million construction labors and start building tract housing.
We could be debating the exact speed of light and somehow Hairy would blame Pres. Bush.
Hey, I don't love Bush or ANY politician. But I sure get tired of hearing someone bash Bush even when there is no real reason to do so. Bush wasn't at the scene of that riot nor did he cause it. Muslims just love to riot, pump their fists in the air while droning "Death to (fill in the blank) with their hairy pie holes.
BTW, not that it matters but I too have an honorable discharge hanging on my hall wall and I also pay taxes. Taxes which partly go to pay your disability pension. So I, and others, have also earned the right to say what we think.Don't recall ever saying you didn't have a right to express what you think; if I did--tell me where.
My point is that our ego (We're #1) is such that we think everyone in the world wants to be just like us--and well, they don't.
It doesn't matter what their religion is-- Islam, or Buddhist, or even Christian. We are not so great that we have to shove our political system down the throats of other countries that don't have such a history--particularly at the point of a bayonet.
I laugh at the way you think (sic). Here's a simple two question test:
Question: Why are Afghanis rioting?
Answer: Duhhh--because of AMERICANs causing an accident.
Question: Who sent AMERICANS to Afghanistan of all places?
Surprise Answer: Bingo--IT WAS BUSH. Duhh.
I can't believe it--you failed. [8]
the people of afghanistan have been fighting, rioting and killing each other for hundreds of years. to blame a commotion by 100 people due to a car accident on Bush is something only a Bush hating,islamic terrorist loving person could think of.
Afghans (and Iraqis and Iranis and the whole stinkin' pile of 'em) seem to riot at the drop of a hat. Where a typical American response to some minor incident might be, "Goshdarnitall! That really ticks me off! I may write a letter to somebody someday!", the typical Afghani will set himself on fire, or throw rocks at a tank, or something. Seems to me the surprise isn't that the accident set off a riot; the surprise would be if it DIDN'T set off a riot. It's like there's no "medium" setting to the Afghani response-o-meter. It's either "ignore" or "immolate".
You didn't hear? Cheney shot the driver of the truck on orders from the Mossad who took a break from pulling the strings of Bushco. in order to cause this riot to make Muslims look bad in Western eyes. Duhh.
You will note, Bush never flew a "Mission Accomplished" banner for Afghanistan.
people riot in many countries that DONT have american troops there. is that Bush's fault ? from what i have heard most afghans are grateful for Bush and America removing the taliban.
the people of afghanistan have been fighting, rioting and killing each other for hundreds of years. to blame a commotion by 100 people due to a car accident on Bush is something only a Bush hating,islamic terrorist loving person could think of.
Albert, your squirming and getting off point is funny. The people in Afghanistan (and Iraq, BTW) view Americans as occupiers, not saviors. The Americans are there because Bush put them there.
To think otherwise is to practice the Albert Lum School of Non-Thinking and Bush Loving Foolishness.
But thanks for your thoughts (sic).
BTW Albert, don't sweat it, he's a fraud.
Seems to me they are no different than us in the fact they will riot over anything, given the chance.
quote:Originally posted by tr fox
We could be debating the exact speed of light and somehow Hairy would blame Pres. Bush.
Hey, I don't love Bush or ANY politician. But I sure get tired of hearing someone bash Bush even when there is no real reason to do so. Bush wasn't at the scene of that riot nor did he cause it. Muslims just love to riot, pump their fists in the air while droning "Death to (fill in the blank) with their hairy pie holes.
BTW, not that it matters but I too have an honorable discharge hanging on my hall wall and I also pay taxes. Taxes which partly go to pay your disability pension. So I, and others, have also earned the right to say what we think.Don't recall ever saying you didn't have a right to express what you think; if I did--tell me where.
My point is that our ego (We're #1) is such that we think everyone in the world wants to be just like us--and well, they don't.
It doesn't matter what their religion is-- Islam, or Buddhist, or even Christian. We are not so great that we have to shove our political system down the throats of other countries that don't have such a history--particularly at the point of a bayonet.
I laugh at the way you think (sic). Here's a simple two question test:
Question: Why are Afghanis rioting?
Answer: Duhhh--because of AMERICANs causing an accident.
Question: Who sent AMERICANS to Afghanistan of all places?
Surprise Answer: Bingo--IT WAS BUSH. Duhh.
I can't believe it--you failed. [8]
Accidents happen all the time in America. Sometimes the accident will be a careless, needless accident caused by a Mexican illegal alien, or a driver of another race than the race of the victim that was injuried. Yet I never see dangerous riots in America caused by such accident.
I believe it is a fact that the majority of the Afgans were happy to see the Taliban toppled from running the country. Wonder why those American hating rioters didn't riot when they were living under the oppression of the Taliban? (The ungrateful b@$tards).
No, what it is, is that you will always find some way to excuse your beloved Muslims for their primitive behaviour and who have yet to pull themselves out of the 10th century.
Interestingly, the Muslim president of Afganistan publically condemned the rioters. Yet Hairy publically criticizes fellow Americans here on GB.com who speak out and also condemn the rioters. Kinda makes Hairy look to be more on the side of the rioters than on the side of sensible Muslims (the Afganistan President) or his fellow Americans.
quote:Originally posted by AlbertLum
people riot in many countries that DONT have american troops there. is that Bush's fault ? from what i have heard most afghans are grateful for Bush and America removing the taliban.
the people of afghanistan have been fighting, rioting and killing each other for hundreds of years. to blame a commotion by 100 people due to a car accident on Bush is something only a Bush hating,islamic terrorist loving person could think of.
Albert, your squirming and getting off point is funny. The people in Afghanistan (and Iraq, BTW) view Americans as occupiers, not saviors. The Americans are there because Bush put them there.
To think otherwise is to practice the Albert Lum School of Non-Thinking and Bush Loving Foolishness.
But thanks for your thoughts (sic).
i never said Bush didnt put the troops there. I just said that only an idiot (you and the islamic extremists) would use a traffic accident to riot. Of course you failed to mention that French, Candadian, German, Polish, Australian and other troops in Afghanistan. I guess the traffic accident was all their fault too.
Also, Hairy, you must not actually read my posts because I am not a huge fan of Bush. It seems you are the one with the blinders on.
You haven't earned anything yet since you prefer sitting behind your keyboard and pretending to be a typical Bush phony super patriot. When you enlist, let me know.
Perhaps he is a member of the 101st Fighting Keyboardists, there sure are a lot of them on gunbroker. Wars are great, as long as it's somebody else who has to go fight them.
The people in Afghanistan (and Iraq, BTW) view Americans as occupiers, not saviors. The Americans are there because Bush put them there.
Hairy: Haven't you stated (several times) that you supported Bush's invasion of Afganistan?
quote:Originally posted by HAIRY
The people in Afghanistan (and Iraq, BTW) view Americans as occupiers, not saviors. The Americans are there because Bush put them there.
Hairy: Haven't you stated (several times) that you supported Bush's invasion of Afganistan?
Yes, I did and do. My complaint about Bush is over the illegal and immoral invasion of Iraq.
BTW, was just stirring because people can't discern sarcasm (I guess I need a bold headline to announce it). These fish sure bite easily, that's for sure. LMAO[:D][:D][:D][}:)][;)]
wars are bad, they should NEVER be fought. just think, the world had a chance to let hitler get rid of almost all jews and the damn america christians screwed it all up.
Nice attempt at irony, eh? But your knowledge of history is atrocious and immature. [;)]
Hitler was fought and defeated because of his territorial ambitions, not because he was killing the Jews, the Germans, the Poles, the Ukrainians, the Slavs, etc.
A lot of so-called Christians assisted the Nazis killing machine, in case you didn't know it. The Pope never publicly condemned Nazi Germany either. [:(]
I can't recall exactly how it goes but we need to learn from it.
The longer we stay in Afghanistan or Iraq the more we will wear out our welcome. They are after all, their countries. If we had left Iraq after we found Sadam it is likely that most of them would be grateful to us.
The problem in both countries has been "mission creep". We started out to depose Sadam & the Taliban. We did that & had we declared Victory & gone home think how much better off we would be.
just think.....if hitler was allowed to kill ALL jews we might not have had to deal with a certain harry issue.
And perhaps you might not have been conceived, if all the Jews were killed. Shalom.
i'm not jewish. are you ?
Why do you want to know and why is it important to you? Wasn't Jesus Jewish?
Are you a christian? Are you a devoted follower of Pat Robertson and Jerry Fawell or that other christian minister who is protesting the military funerals? Do you protest at funerals too? Why do you do that?
You don't like the Jewish people?
Interestingly, the Muslim president of Afganistan publically condemned the rioters. Yet Hairy publically criticizes fellow Americans here on GB.com who speak out and also condemn the rioters. Kinda makes Hairy look to be more on the side of the rioters than on the side of sensible Muslims (the Afganistan President) or his fellow Americans.
...Shalom, Hairy...[;)]
You owe me a keyboard.[:D][:D][:D]. tweedlelumdum, who would of thunk it.[:D][:D][:D]
quote:Originally posted by AlbertLum
i'm not jewish. are you ?
Why do you want to know and why is it important to you? Wasn't Jesus Jewish?
Are you a christian? Are you a devoted follower of Pat Robertson and Jerry Fawell or that other christian minister who is protesting the military funerals? Do you protest at funerals too? Why do you do that?
why cant you answer the question ? are you jewish ?
but...to answer your questions....i dont think i have ever listened to a word that pat robertson or jerry fawell have ever said so i guess i am not a devoted follower of theirs. i dont protest at funerals. and why do i do what ?
Hairy, why do you do the below?
Interestingly, the Muslim president of Afganistan publically condemned the rioters. Yet Hairy publically criticizes fellow Americans here on GB.com who speak out and also condemn the rioters. Kinda makes Hairy look to be more on the side of the rioters than on the side of sensible Muslims (the Afganistan President) or his fellow Americans.
That's because Karzai didn't blame Bush for it. If he had, you'd have to get a prybar to remove Hairy's lips from the Afghan's *.
Is that where our foreign taxi drivers learn it?????