Busy Morning in the 'Bul

KABUL — Taliban militants struck at heart of the Afghan government Monday, launching attacks at key targets in the center of the city in a clear sign the insurgents plan to escalate the fight as the U.S. and its allies ramp up their own campaign to end the war.

Taliban spokesman [or "asshole"] Zabiullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that 20 armed militants, including some with suicide vests, had entered Kabul to target the presidential palace and other government buildings in central Kabul. Explosions and the rattle of heavy machine-gun fire rattled the city.

I was in the MoD when it happened, and therefore fairly close. A pretty active firefight went on for quite a long time, and that plume of smoke drifted far over the city.

UPDATE-- You won't hear this in the press, but two facts stand out here on the ground. The fuck-os never penetrated the truly hard targets (MoD and Presidential compound), and the ANSF dealt with this well.

January 18, 2010 01:20 AM Afghanistan