A coordinated Taliban assault on the U.S. consulate in Herat killed nine Afghan security personnel while all seven attackers were also killed, with no American casualties.
Key Facts
- Date of attack
- September 13, 2013
- Afghan guards killed
- 8 people
- Afghan police killed
- 1 person
- Attackers killed
- 7 people
- American casualties
- None killed or seriously injured
- Attack initiated
- 5:30 AM at the front gate
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Taliban, engaged in an ongoing insurgency against U.S. and Afghan government forces, targeted the American consulate in Herat as part of their campaign against Western diplomatic and military presence in Afghanistan. The group later claimed responsibility via an emailed statement.
Beginning at 5:30 AM on September 13, 2013, a truck detonated a large improvised explosive device at the consulate's vehicle entry point, followed by a minivan carrying armed attackers who entered the compound firing assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades. The minivan's driver subsequently detonated a second bomb. A gun battle ensued, killing all seven attackers and nine Afghan security personnel.
No American personnel were killed or seriously injured. The United Nations condemned the attack in the strongest terms, and the U.S. Department of State awarded Heroism Awards to several of the consulate's defenders for their actions during the assault.