Afghanistan: NATO Secretary and US Defense Secretary in Kabul City Sep.27; reports of indirect fire /update 1

Event

Open sources report that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Defense Secretary James Mattis are currently in Kabul City on an unannounced trip.  Both are likely to be addressing parliamentarians at a large scale international event ongoing at the Afghan Parliament on 27 September. Such visits often invoke indirect fire from anti-government elements, and at 10:35 (local time) there have been reports of a round of indirect fire close to the Baron's Hotel and Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL). Green Village Camp is reportedly on lockdown as of 11:14 (local time).  There remains an increased threat of attack in the vicinity of Daraluman Road, Kabul City’s Green Zone, and the airport until NATO and US Defense officials depart the capital.  Routes in the near vicinity of Parliament are currently closed to traffic, with localized congestion.

Advice

Those in Kabul City are advised to avoid the near vicinity of Afghan Parliament due to road closures, be aware of an increased threat of indirect fire, and adhere to any lockdowns. Individuals traveling in Afghanistan, particularly outside Kabul, should seek professional security advice and support, and continually reassess their personal security.