Explosion near US Embassy in Kabul on 9/11 anniversary

A large explosion rocked Afghanistan's capital, Kabul near the US Embassy, today in the wee hours, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the United States.

A plume of smoke rose over Kabul just after midnight and sirens could be heard. Officials at the compound declared all-clear about an hour later and reported no injuries. The NATO mission, which is nearby, also said, no personnel had been injured.  However, there was no immediate comment from Afghan officials. It would be the first major



attack in the Afghan capital since President Donald Trump abruptly called off US-Taliban talks over the weekend, on the brink of an apparent deal to end America's longest war.

 

The 9/11 anniversary is a sensitive day in Afghanistan's capital and one on which attacks have occurred. A US-led invasion of Afghanistan shortly after the 2001 attack toppled the Taliban, who had harboured Osama bin Laden, the al-Qaida leader and attacks mastermind.