Afghanistan: NATO soldiers stop insider attack in Kandahar August 5

Event

NATO officials confirmed that an insider attack took place at a police training camp in Kandahar on Saturday, August 5. According to a statement released by the NATO Resolute Support mission, a member of the Afghan National Civil Order Police opened fire on Romanian soldiers near Kandahar Airfield. The soldiers returned fire, killing the attacker. One Romanian advisor and one Afghan police officer were wounded in the shooting.

Context

A number of insider attacks have taken place in recent months. On June 10, two US soldiers were killed and two others were injured when an Afghan army soldier opened fire on US troops in Achin district. Another three US soldiers were wounded in another insider attack at Camp Shorab airbase in Helmand province on March 19. The Taliban claimed responsibility for both attacks.

Insider attacks, also known as “green-on-blue” attacks, by Afghan soldiers were a significant problem several years ago. The frequency of the attacks decreased after security measures improved and the number of foreign troops in the country decreased.

Advice

Due to major security concerns individuals throughout Afghanistan are urged to keep a safe distance from large gatherings, military convoys, government buildings, and crowded urban areas. Many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to the high threat of kidnapping and terrorism, including frequent attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, local civilians and politicians, and individuals working in the humanitarian and reconstruction fields. Travel to the country should only be undertaken with proper security protocols in place.