Angry Afghans storm U.N. compound

The Associated Press ^

[jseth]

KABUL, Afghanistan - Demonstrators stormed a U.N. compound and stoned U.S. soldiers in a tense western city, officials said Sunday, a day after the government sacked its warlord governor.

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Hundreds of people gathered outside the city headquarters of the United Nations chanting slogans against U.S. troops and the government as protests broke out following the replacement of Gov. Ismail Khan, witnesses said.

Demonstrators broke through the gate at about noon Sunday, throwing stones at vehicles and setting one alight, sending U.N. staff scuttling into their on-site bunker, U.N. spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said.

There were no reports of injuries and American troops had arrived at the scene, he said. "Things are ongoing."

Scuffles with security forces Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported that at least two people were injured late Saturday in scuffles with security forces after two U.S. soldiers got into trouble in the city, when a crowd bore down on their broken down Humvee.

A passing patrol of some 25 troops from the Afghan National Army came to their aid.

"The ANA took control of the situation and one ANA soldier reportedly fired 40-50 warning shots," a U.S. military statement said.

"No one died in the incident, but two civilians were injured. One regrettably received a gunshot wound to his leg and another was hit by a motorcycle that was leaving the scene," it said.

Both were reportedly taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Demonstrators took to the streets of Herat following Saturday's announcement that Khan, considered one of the country's most powerful warlords, was being replaced.

Officials say Khan, who commands a private army that he has been reluctant to disarm, accepted the decision but refused to take up a post in U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai's Cabinet in the capital.

More than 1,000 members of the new, U.S.-trained national army and German-trained national police have been deployed to Herat province since fighting in August between Khan and rival warlords left dozens dead.

Several dozen American troops are based in Herat on a mission to promote stability and reconstruction. U.S. trainers are also accompanying the ANA units deployed to the area.

[haywoodwebb]

"Gov. Ismail Khan"

I wonder if he's realated to "JenJis?"

</sarcasm>

[Khurkris]

Kofi Annan announces formation of a fact finding mission budgeted at $20 million USD headed by his son.

[Criminal Number 18F]

I know you're just making a joke, but "Khan" is a generic Afghan term for a "big guy," and Ismail Khan is the biggest of the big guys. At one time he had 60,000 men under arms which is still probaby 10 times the size of the national army.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F