| 2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat | |
| Partof: | the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) |
| Location: | Herat, Afghanistan |
| Target: | U.S. consulate |
| Date: | 13 September 2013 |
| Time: | 5.30 am |
| Type: | Truck bombing, mass shooting |
| Fatalities: | 8 attackers, 8 guards, and 1 Afghan policeman |
| Injuries: | 20 |
| Weapons: | Truck bomb, assault rifles, RPGs |
| Perps: | Taliban |
The U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan was attacked on September 13, 2013, by a group of Taliban militants.[1] Reports indicated that the assault began at 5:30 am on the front gate of the consulate. A large truck drove up to the consulate's primary vehicle entry point and detonated a massive improvised explosive charge, causing extensive damage.[2] A minivan carrying an assault team armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades arrived and opened fire, moving into the consulate compound. Then, the driver of the minivan ignited a bomb inside the minivan, which exploded a short time afterwards.[3] Eight Afghan members of the consulate's guard force and one Afghan police officer were killed. An unknown number of bystanders were wounded.[4] A gun battle ensued, and all seven attackers were killed. No Americans were killed or seriously injured. The U.S. Department of State awarded Heroism Awards to several of the consulate's defenders.[5]
The Taliban took credit for the attack in an emailed statement.[6]
In a press release, the United Nations condemned the attack "in the strongest terms."[7]