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US Warns of "Imminent" Attack in Kabul
Officials say they have “credible reports of an imminent attack” on American assets in the Afghan capital Kabul.
The American Embassy released an emergency message on Monday. The message said American citizens should be very careful if traveling in the city. It said the embassy did not have “further details regarding the targets, timing or method of the planned attack.”
And it again warned U.S. citizens not to travel to Afghanistan.
It said “the security situation in Afghanistan is extremely unstable, and the threat to all U.S. citizens in Afghanistan remains critical. U.S. citizens currently visiting or residing in Afghanistan may wish to consider departing.”
Because of increasing insecurity in Kabul, the embassy no longer lets its workers travel by vehicle. They must use helicopters instead.
Workers at embassies of other countries and international aid groups have put similar policies in place. They want to decrease their vulnerability to attacks as they travel among secure parts of the city.
On Saturday morning, a senior Afghan election official survived a suicide bombing against his vehicle in Kabul that killed his driver and wounded a guard. The reason for the attack is not known.
But Taliban militants have increased their attacks on Afghan security forces and government officials. The attacks are believed to be part of the Taliban’s violent anti-government campaign across the country.
The embassy releases emergency warnings often. But this warning was released as the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan were expected to meet in Paris at a United Nations gathering on climate change.
If the meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani takes place, it could be an important first step in peace talks with the Taliban. Pakistan is working with leaders of the group and Afghan government officials to reach an agreement to end the fighting in Afghanistan.
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Correspondent Ayaz Gul reported this story from Islamabad. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.
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Words in This Story
assets -- n. people and facilities, in this case
credible – adj. able to be believed; reasonable to trust or believe
imminent – adj. happening very soon
facilities – n. something (such as a building or large piece of equipment) that is built for a specific purpose
vulnerable – adj. open to attack, harm or damage
secure – adj. protected from danger or harm; guarded so that no one can enter or leave without approval