An update on this story. By Jason Straziuso for the Associated Press:
KABUL, Afghanistan - Militants stormed Kabul's most popular luxury hotel Monday, killing at least six people as they hunted down Westerners who cowered in a gym — a coordinated assault that could signal a new era of brazen Taliban attacks.
What? Not brazen Christian monk attacks?
The gunmen threw grenades and fired AK-47s, and one even blew himself up despite heavy security at the Serena Hotel. One American and a Norwegian journalist were among the dead, officials said.
More than 30 U.S. soldiers in a half-dozen Humvees rushed to the hotel as part of a quick reaction force, and security personnel from the nearby U.S. Embassy ran through the building looking for U.S. citizens.
"There was blood on the floor all the way to the kitchen. There was a lot of blood in the lobby," said Suzanne Griffin of Seattle, who had been in the hotel gym at the time of the attack.
"There were empty shell casings outside," added Griffin, 62, who was working for Save the Children.
She said she had to step over the lifeless body of a woman when evacuated from the locker room.
"Thank God I didn't get into the shower because then we heard gunfire, a lot of it. It was very close, close enough that plaster came off the ceiling," Griffin, her voice shaking, told The Associated Press shortly after the attack. "We all just sat on the floor and got as far as we could from any glass. ... We turned our phones on silent."
It was the deadliest direct attack on a hotel in Kabul since the fall of the Taliban in 2001.
The assailants appeared to concentrate their assault on the Serena's gym and spa, where foreigners relax and work out at night, suggesting the militants had cased the hotel in advance.
The Taliban has targeted aid workers and civilian contractors with kidnappings and killings, but this was the most daring and sophisticated attack yet and was aimed at a prominent symbol of foreign presence in the country, apparently designed to point out the vulnerability of the Western presence.
Taliban attacks have typically targeted Western and Afghan government or security personnel, not Western civilians.
The multipronged assault began around 6 p.m., when the Norwegian Embassy was hosting a meeting at the Serena for visiting Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Stoere as the target of the attack.
Witnesses said they first heard gunfire, then several explosions — likely from hand grenades — and also one large blast — the suicide bomb.
Taliban attacks have typically targeted Western and Afghan government or security personnel, not Western civilians.
When will these reporters get in thier heads that there are no western civilians?
This hotel is a hated symbol of Western decadence and domination to these fanatics--the cultural insensitivity of it all--men and uncovered women--haram meat--mingling!
Sun dry some more grapes boys...
"virgins" provided to Islamic jihadis in paradise were only raisins."
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/JA15Ak03.html
Stuff like this is exactley why I refuse to work out, I need another beer.
AMartinez - now that's what I call a New Year's resolution! :-)
Six pack or six pack - tough choice.
I just pray no Qurans were damaged. This could lead to Islamophobia. Muslims in the West are the real victims.
CAIR hiring?
Rooms service, room service. These guests did not like the room service, I guess.
Oh, be sure and turn off your cell phone. Those unannounced calls embarrassing and DEADLY. They can happen when you least want it or expect it. LIKE COWERING IN A BATHROOM OR SHOWER!!
Yeah, you've gotta hate those people who train in a gym wanting to get fit and everything. Allah forbid that the infidels should be in shape! Blow them up and kill them!
"There were empty shell casings outside," added Griffin, 62, who was working for Save the Children.
Save the Children.
No good deed goes unpunished.
So where are the peaceful Muslims condemning this attack? You know they would have been in the story had a Muslim gathering place been bombed.
So, will we see this on the News tomorrow morning, or will it be ignored because Allah Forbid we admit that Mohammedans are murderers?
Darcy,
But it's not "Muslims". It's a few people who have "hijacked the Muslim religion". So we can't tell this story and impugn all Muslims.
Check this out, from an Iranian ex-Muslim:
Again I was encouraged to view this as the true spirit of Islam and following the example of Muhammad. I was told that Muhammad himself and our Imams were capable of falling into murderous fits of rage and displaying "outward signs of furious anger." At such times heads rolled, literally.
I guess since Jesus threw the money-changers out of the temple, Mohammed is free to fall into fits of rage.
Norway has one of the most pro-PLO stances in the Westenn world. Its brainwashed government and media elites accept every bit of nonsense and lies: that the war against Israel is a "nationalist" struggle (when it is a permenant Jihad) of the recently-invented "Palestininian people" (depicted in Norway as true indigenes, rather than the descendants, in most cases, of those who arrived not earlier than did the Zionist pioneers, and who have, furthermore, the vast territories of the twenty-two Arab states in which to realize their full political expression).
The attack on the Kabul hotel took place when an official Norwegian delegation was visiting, and holding a reception. This has to have been known by the attackers.
Moral: the moral is that no matter how craven Norwegian policy becomes, it will do them no good. It will do them no good in Afghanistan. It will do them no good in Pakistan. It will do them no good in the Arab countries. And most importantly, it will do them not the slightest good in Norway itself, seen as just one more component of the Bilad al-Kufr, the Lands of the Infidels, and like all other parts of the Bilad al-Kufr, a place that must remove all obstacles, all legal and political instituitons, to the spread, and the dominance, of Islam. Already we see that threats are being made to the government and people of Norway, if Mullah Krekar, an open and enthusiastic supporter of terrorism, is deported.
Possibly even in benighted Norway there will be those who will come to their senses about Islam. The attack, and the death of at least one Norwegian journalist, just possibly may begin to concentrate some minds, and bring back the moral sense that such people as Jostein Gaarder have apparently had surgically removed from their own amygdala.
For more on the intolerable views of many (not all, thank god) in Norway, see Bruce Bawer's "While Europe Slept."
And here's a recent speech by the same Norwegian Foreign Minister. The comments on "support for Israel" (within the pre-1967 lines, that is to say within the lines that reflect nothing more than the 1949 armistice agreements between Israel and its Arab attackers) are mere boiler-plate. The alacrity with which Norway started re-funding the "Palestinians" despite the presence of Hamas in the government is not boiler-plate, but heartfelt:
Statement by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Majesties, Presidents, Secretary General of the United Nations, Arab League Secretary General, Excellencies, distinguished delegates.
I wish to express my gratitude to our Saudi hosts and the Arab League for inviting a Norwegian foreign minister to the Arab League Summit. On behalf of the Norwegian Government I reiterate our desire to work closely with the Arab nations and the Arab League.
I applaud the important and highly relevant political initiatives that are making this Arab League Summit so significant. You have many critical issues on your agenda that pose numerous challenges to the Arab people and their leaders throughout the entire region.
Allow me – as a friend from of the High North – to use my intervention to address one perspective in this broader setting, namely the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government.
I wish to applaud Saudi Arabia – and all those in the region who have contributed – for helping to make the Mecca agreement possible.
The Mecca agreement helped prevent a civil war. It helped promote the vision of political settlement instead of fighting and bloodshed. It paved the way for a National Unity Government – a historic event in itself.
I wish to applaud the courage of the Palestinian leaders who signed the Mecca agreement. I reiterate Norway’s pledge of continuous support to President Mahmoud Abbas, as Chairman of the PLO and President of the Palestinian Authority, for his steadfast efforts in pursuit of the interests of the Palestinian people.
I also wish to express my support to those Palestinian leaders from all factions who have accepted positions of responsibility in the National Unity Government. May the strength and courage it took them to forge the agreement inspire them to bridge any differences that may arise.
Norway supported the efforts to create a National Unity Government. The alternative to political settlement and compromise among Palestinians is violence and division between Palestinians. More violence and more division would deepen the misery and suffering of the Palestinian people. It would block any process leading towards a Palestinian state. And all of that would worsen the security situation for the entire region, including for Israel.
On 17 March Norway decided to normalise its political and economic relations with the new government.
We would have liked to see some of the wording in the government platform be more explicit. We do, however, see that important steps have been taken towards complying with the expectations of the international community. The Government pledges, without reservation, to honour previously concluded agreements. This implies the recognition of Israel and the renunciation of violence.
To gain broad and lasting international support, politically and financially, the words of this government need to be followed by action.
Normalisation means engagement. Engagement means holding one another accountable. It means seizing a political opportunity. Failing to engage means missing such an opportunity.
We stand ready to work directly with the government. We stand ready to resume our economic cooperation. And we encourage other nations and groups of nations to seize this opportunity and do the same.
In our dialogue with the new government our message is clear: A key priority must be to gain control of the security situation.
The government must do what it can to put a stop to the rocket attacks on Israelis and secure the safe release of Corporal Shalit. At the same time we support the efforts being made by Egypt to facilitate a prisoners’ exchange.
Norway is a friend of the Palestinian people. We support the right of the Palestinian people to live free of occupation in a Palestinian state.
Norway is a friend of Israel. We defend Israel’s right to live in peace and security. This is a mainstay of Norwegian Middle East policy. It gave us the opportunity to support the process that led to the Oslo agreements and mutual recognition between the state of Israel and the PLO.
Today I have issued a clear message to the National Unity Government of the Palestinians.
At the same time we hold Israel accountable for adhering to international law, moving towards ending occupation, reversing the construction of the separation wall and ending settlements on occupied land.
Norway calls on Israel to release withheld Palestinian revenues from taxes and fees and to increase freedom of movement for the Palestinian population.
An immediate priority now is to resume and reorganise the assistance to the Palestinian Authority.
Since 1993, Norway has been leading the donor community in its efforts to help set up and support the Palestinian Authority.
We are now supporting the efforts of the new Finance Minister to establish adequate financial channels. The Palestinian economy needs to function as an economy, not solely as an end station for humanitarian aid. It is time to move from crisis management to supporting the political process through long-term assistance.
We stand ready – in close cooperation with the Palestinians, the UN, the EU and donors in this region and beyond - to broaden these consultations.
Finally, together we need to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to embark on a new political process of peace. Norway supports US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in her efforts to initiate negotiations between President Abbas and Prime Minister Olmert. And we support the Arab League’s constructive contribution and its proposals.
On behalf of Norway, I express my solidarity with the people of the Arab world in their quest for freedom, opportunity and development.
One characteristic of the challenges facing the broader Middle East is that they are becoming increasingly interlinked. Facing these challenges calls for political engagement and political courage. I applaud the Arab League for showing a will to demonstrate both. In this you have Norway’s support."
"...but this was the most daring and sophisticated attack yet..."
Yet another admiring A.P. account.
Attacking civilians and similar "soft targets" is not daring, it's cowardly.
How much "sophistication" is needed to throw some grenades, spray AK-47 bullets around, and pull the cord of a strap-on bomb?
It takes a death wish, yes, but sophisticated? No.
The story should read:
"...but this was the most crude and cowardly attack yet..."
Unfortunately that's not how the media see such events.
Hugh:
How about this?: treat Jerusalem and surroundings as a Heritage site of Western Civilization and give Arab Muslims the boot. Even atheists like me have to recognize both the contributions of Jews to human advance and the 300 year historical imposed on mankind by Arab-Islam. The building of the Third Temple - after al-Aqsa and Umar's toilet are bulldozed - would be a major cultural event.
I have yet to receive my tons of flesh from the 9-11 atrocity, and I want it. Nation-destruction is much easier than nation-building. Arabs are not cost effective.
Correction 12:51 AM: should read: "300 year historical lag imposed on mankind by Arab-Islam."
"The government must do what it can to put a stop to the rocket attacks on Israelis and secure the safe release of Corporal Shalit. At the same time we support the efforts being made by Egypt to facilitate a prisoners’ exchange."
....and if they refuse...then what?.......any repercussions?....any sanctions?....any public outcry?....any talks with Muslim leaders?.....any talks with Muslims clerics?....anything?.....
....I suspect the Muslims will continue to launch rockets daily into Israel....and Corporal Shalit probably died long ago.....
...and contrary to popular belief I am not a Profet.....
"Taliban attacks have typically targeted Western and Afghan government or security personnel, not Western civilians."
....well, they certainly do not hesitate to attact Muslim "civilians"....you know, women, teachers, lawyers, journalists, ice cream vendors, garbage men, students, and many other types of Muslim "civilians".....or maybe the Radical Muslims are just practising for the day when they will be in western countries where they can find western "civilians"....