Afghanistan: Intercontinental Hotel 12-hr long siege finally ends
On January 21, Afghan special forces finally regained control of the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul after a 12-hour-long deadly siege. Over 150 guests were rescued in the operation. According to spokesperson for the interior ministry, the attack left at least five civilians dead, and at least six injured. Three of the attackers have been killed.
Afghanistan: Intercontinental Hotel 12-hr long siege finally ends
On January 21, Afghan special forces finally regained control of the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul after a 12-hour-long deadly siege. Over 150 guests were rescued in the operation. According to spokesperson for the interior ministry, the attack left at least five civilians dead, and at least six injured. Three of the attackers have been killed.
Attack comes just days after US embassy's warning
The attack on the Intercontinental Hotel comes just days after the US embassy said that it was "aware of reports that extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul". The embassy, however, had highlighted another hotel as a possible target.
How did the attack transpire?
The gunmen stormed the state-owned Intercontinental Hotel at around 9pm local time last night, and started shooting at guests and staff. The attackers also set certain sections of the hotel on fire. With the gunmen holed up inside, special forces personnel were lowered down to the roof of the luxury hotel by helicopters during the night-time siege.
The Intercontinental Hotel was attacked in 2011
The Intercontinental Hotel was attacked earlier in 2011 by the Taliban, and the ensuing firefight saw 21 people killed including nine militants. However, this time, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
