Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Afghanistan suicide bomber hits foreigners on Kabul bus

Up to 12 people are reported to have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a minibus carrying foreigners near the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The attack happened on a major road leading to the international airport.

Afghan insurgent group Hezb-e-Islami has claimed responsibility for the blast, which it says was in response to a recent anti-Islam video.

It comes as Nato announces that it will restrict operations with Afghan forces from now on.

The joint command of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) in Afghanistan cited a recent rise in insider attacks on Nato forces and events related to anger over the Innocence of Muslims film as the reasons behind the decision.

Fifty-one Nato troops have been killed by Afghan soldiers so far this year - 15 in August alone.

Joint operations will now only be conducted at battalion level - large operations involving several hundred troops - ending day-to-day operations, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville.

Some smaller missions may still take place, but will have to be evaluated by senior commanders on a case by case basis.

However, the Afghan ministry of defence said it had not been formally notified of the changes, adding that senior officials from both sides were currently meeting.

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