Very early (and unconfirmed) reports of an attack on the U.S. consulate in the Herat province in Afghanistan are beginning to emerge on Twitter. Aleem Agha is a correspondent for ABC News.
Breaking news huge explosion in Herat close to American consulate
— Aleem Agha (@Aghaaleem) September 13, 2013
Herat the explosion was huge many kilometer away people felt it & broke glasses of the windows #local residence
— Aleem Agha (@Aghaaleem) September 13, 2013
Gun fires are being heard after huge explosion in Herat
— Aleem Agha (@Aghaaleem) September 13, 2013
Scattered fires still being heard near the US Consulate in Herat city #Afghanistan – no word of casualties so far
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Windows of houses in the vicinity of US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan are broken – ambulances sirens being heard
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Friends on Facebook confirm Herat attack, adding, the huge explosion occurred at 05:30am local time. #Afghanistan
— Farzad Lami (@FarzadLami) September 13, 2013
US Consulate after attack. Smoke cleared. Afghan forces still up there. pic.twitter.com/qbQEmbqT1w
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
Here's shortly after main explosion pic.twitter.com/KZUiGmF7jc
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
Lasted about 30-35 minutes. Black smoke obscured my view. Don't think they made it far inside compound. #Afghanistan #herat #attack
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
Large explosion (assume vehicle) fire at first gate. Then series of smaller explosions (assume suicide vests). Maybe 5-7. Then gunfire
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
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Iranian consulate was attack by angry mob last this week, now it's US Consulate attacked in Herat #Afghanistan
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Sources say the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which injured at least two Afghans.
Taliban claim credit for the attack on US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan alleging several Afghan & foreign forces were killed
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
At least 2 Afghan guards of the US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan were seen wounded & taken to hospital, eye witnesses say
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
US forces seen guarding US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Looks as if nothing ever happened. But an exciting 35 minutes or so. Hoping everyone there ok. #Afghanistan #herat pic.twitter.com/nzEFnK0j2z
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
US forces seen shooting randomly near scene of attack at US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan, eyes witnesses say
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Another small explosion and some gunfire. General Consulate area it seems. Maybe not quite over. #Afghanistan #herat #attack
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
NATO/ISAF helos flying over Herat #Afghanistan
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
2nd blast was at parking of US Consulate in Herat #Afghanistan
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Shops closed & streets empty in Herat city #Afghanistan where US Consulate is under complex Taliban attack
— Akmal Dawi (@akmaldawi) September 13, 2013
Ok. Life stranger than fiction. Someone flying a kite in the park right next to US Consulate!!!! Literally during or right after attack!!!
— Barry J Reed (@TsarReed) September 13, 2013
The official word from the International Security Assistance Force is that everything is under control.
The US Consulate in #Herat is secure. #ANSF & Consulate security have defeated the attackers.
— Resolute Support (@ResoluteSupport) September 13, 2013
https://twitter.com/IJC_Press/status/378353225524473857
https://twitter.com/IJC_Press/status/378353344021942272
https://twitter.com/IJC_Press/status/378353411709607936
Per State, 5:30 am attack by attackers on truck – possibly with RPGs and assault rifles. Truck exploded, damaging building
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 13, 2013
The State Department has released its official version of events.
Full statement from @marieharf on Herat consulate attack: pic.twitter.com/emZ9hBtmxM
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) September 13, 2013
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