The attack was the second time in less than three weeks that the American University has been targeted by militants. Nearly immediately, they heard a loud explosion.
Advertisement
It was apparently the first reported abduction related to a private university in Afghanistan.
“One wrote: “#AUAF under attack. Someone who chose to stay in Afghanistan and serve his country while had all the opportunities to live elsewhere.
No group has claimed responsibility yet for the attack.
The attack ended early today at the campus on the outskirts of Kabul. He injured his ankle making the leap.
“The gunfire was closer and closer, and I felt a few bullets flying over my head”, CBS’ Ahmad Mukhtar said.
“Terrorist groups, by attacking civilians, educational institutions, residential areas, culverts, bridges, electricity stations… want to obstruct growth and strengthening of the values that Afghans believe in”, President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement, condemning the “brutal attack”. “The provincial centers are open and will operate normally”.
The President of American University also confirmed that suspected militants have attacked the campus of the university. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said the department is accounting for its personnel and working to locate and assist USA citizens affected by the attack.
The American University began teaching in 2005 and is chartered in the U.S. It enrols some 1,700 students and has been seen as a high-value target by militants, particularly as foreign staff are often employed there. The university extends its sympathy to all affected by this despicable attack.
Mark English tells The Associated Press that security forces are on the scene after Wednesday’s attack and that “we are trying to assess the situation”. “We look forward to being able to continue our important work in service to Afghanistan”.
Two teachers, an American and an Australian, remain missing after being abducted at gunpoint from a road nearby on August 7th. Officials say that most kidnappings in Kabul are conducted by criminal gangs.
Located on the edge of Kabul, the university was established in 2006 to offer liberal arts courses modeled on the US system. It has produced 29 Fulbright scholars and maintains partnerships with many USA colleges, such as Stanford, Georgetown and the University of California system.
“Targeting education centers and killing innocent students is not justifiable”.
Hundreds of trapped students were rescued during the overnight operation, many of whom tweeted desperate messages for help. A number of AUAF faculty members are American or hold degrees from American universities.
Advertisement
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said there were “small numbers” of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation advisers who were assisting their Afghan counterparts.
