2011 Mazar-i-Sharif attack
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Mazar-i-Sharif attack occurred on 1 April, when a group of demonstrators attacked the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) compound in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
, killing seven foreigners, including three U.N. staff members. Swedish human rights officer Joakim Dungel, Romanian political affairs officer Filaret Motco, and Norwegian military advisor Siri Skare
were killed. Skare was the first female Norwegian military pilot in her country's history. It was the deadliest attack ever against United Nations
personnel in Afghanistan.
Four Nepalese guards, Dil Prasad Gurung, Chhabi Lal Purja Pun, Min Bahadur Thapa, and Narayan Bahadur Thapa Magar, lost their lives defending the compound. The violence began when an Afghan mob was protesting the burning of the Quran
in the United States, by an American pastor, Terry Jones, on March 20, 2011. Additionally, four protesters died in the violence.
erupted in Mazar-i-Sharif during a protest over an incident that occurred in the United States on 20 March 2011, which included burning of the Qur'an. Estimates of the number of protesters ranged from "hundreds" to as many as 2,000. The protest began near the city's Blue Mosque
shortly after Friday prayer
, with protesters chanting "Death to the USA, death to Israel." During the sermon
, which is part of the Friday prayer, worshipers were told by three mullah
s to begin protesting in favor of the arrest of Pastor Terry Jones, who led the Qur'an
burning.
Atta Muhammad Nur, the provincial governor of Balkh
, said that some Taliban insurgents
were among the protesters who used the event as an opportunity. Protesters were able to overwhelm forces of the Afghan National Police
and UN guards; a local police official said that "[police] tried to stop them, but protesters began stoning the building and finally the situation got out of control." The mob burned down a part of the United Nations compound, toppled guard towers and heaved blocks of cement down from the walls. It was reported that the victims were killed by weapons that the demonstrators had wrestled away from the United Nations guards. Around twenty seven people, who Nur said were "insurgents," were later arrested.
Afghan National Security Forces
turned down an offer of assistance from PRT Mazar-i-Sharif
during the protests, according to K.Bringéus at Sweden's Embassy in Kabul.
. Among the victims, a Swedish worker and guards from Nepal were confirmed dead, as well as a Royal Norwegian Air Force
officer, Lt. Colonel Siri Skare
, and a Romanian national. In addition, five protesters were killed, with twenty wounded. By 2 April, the total death toll had been established as fourteen.
, the senior UN representative in Afghanistan, traveled to Mazar-i-Sharif hours after the incident.
UN regulations state that after attacks on UN-personnel, recall (of staff) and suspension of UN operations, have to be considered. (An attack in 2009, which killed five UN workers, led to relocation of workers (to Dubai), temporarily.) Despite these regulations, a spokesperson said that there was "not a question of us pulling out. The U.N. is here to stay."
said that the incident was "an outrageous and cowardly attack against UN staff, which cannot be justified under any circumstances and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms."
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid
said "The Taliban had nothing to do with this, it was a pure act of responsible Muslims." President Barack Obama
said in a statement that "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan [...] I offer my deepest condolences to those injured and killed, as well as to their loved ones." U.S. legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
, also condemned both the burning and the violence in reaction to it.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, killing seven foreigners, including three U.N. staff members. Swedish human rights officer Joakim Dungel, Romanian political affairs officer Filaret Motco, and Norwegian military advisor Siri Skare
Siri Skare
Siri Skare was the first female aviator in the armed forces of Norway. She died during a demonstration in Mazar-i-Sharif in 2011.-Early life:Skare was originally from Åndalsnes, Møre og Romsdal, Norway...
were killed. Skare was the first female Norwegian military pilot in her country's history. It was the deadliest attack ever against United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
personnel in Afghanistan.
Four Nepalese guards, Dil Prasad Gurung, Chhabi Lal Purja Pun, Min Bahadur Thapa, and Narayan Bahadur Thapa Magar, lost their lives defending the compound. The violence began when an Afghan mob was protesting the burning of the Quran
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
in the United States, by an American pastor, Terry Jones, on March 20, 2011. Additionally, four protesters died in the violence.
Incident
A riotRiot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
erupted in Mazar-i-Sharif during a protest over an incident that occurred in the United States on 20 March 2011, which included burning of the Qur'an. Estimates of the number of protesters ranged from "hundreds" to as many as 2,000. The protest began near the city's Blue Mosque
Shrine of Hazrat Ali
The Shrine of Hazrat Ali, also known as the Blue Mosque, is a mosque in Mazari Sharif, Afghanistan. It is one of the reputed burial places of Ali...
shortly after Friday prayer
Jumu'ah
Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer that Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon in lieu of dhuhr...
, with protesters chanting "Death to the USA, death to Israel." During the sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
, which is part of the Friday prayer, worshipers were told by three mullah
Mullah
Mullah is generally used to refer to a Muslim man, educated in Islamic theology and sacred law. The title, given to some Islamic clergy, is derived from the Arabic word مَوْلَى mawlā , meaning "vicar", "master" and "guardian"...
s to begin protesting in favor of the arrest of Pastor Terry Jones, who led the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
burning.
Atta Muhammad Nur, the provincial governor of Balkh
Balkh Province
Balkh is one of the thirty-four provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the north of the country and its name derives from the ancient city of Balkh, near the modern town...
, said that some Taliban insurgents
Taliban insurgency
The Taliban insurgency took root shortly after the group's fall from power following the 2001 war in Afghanistan. The Taliban continue to attack Afghan, U.S., and other ISAF troops and many terrorist incidents attributable to them have been registered. The war has also spread over the southern and...
were among the protesters who used the event as an opportunity. Protesters were able to overwhelm forces of the Afghan National Police
Afghan National Police
The Afghan National Police - ANP - is the primary national police force in Afghanistan. It serves as a single law enforcement agency all across the country. The Afghan police force was first created with the establishment of the Afghan nation in the early 18th century...
and UN guards; a local police official said that "[police] tried to stop them, but protesters began stoning the building and finally the situation got out of control." The mob burned down a part of the United Nations compound, toppled guard towers and heaved blocks of cement down from the walls. It was reported that the victims were killed by weapons that the demonstrators had wrestled away from the United Nations guards. Around twenty seven people, who Nur said were "insurgents," were later arrested.
Afghan National Security Forces
Afghan National Security Forces
The Afghan National Security Forces are the present government forces of Afghanistan:The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan was activated in November 2009 to bring better cohesion to the efforts supporting the growth and development of the Afghan National Security Force.* Afghan National Army*...
turned down an offer of assistance from PRT Mazar-i-Sharif
PRT Mazar-i-Sharif
Provincial Reconstruction Team Mazar-i-Sharif is a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, and is part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force mission. Mazar-i-Sharif is a city in Balkh province which falls under the control of Regional Command North. Since 2006 the PRT's unit...
during the protests, according to K.Bringéus at Sweden's Embassy in Kabul.
Casualties
The death toll was unclear in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Between seven and ten United Nations personnel were initially reported to have been killed. A UN spokesperson said that "three international UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) staff members were killed, and four international armed security guards were killed." Two of the UN dead were reported to have been beheadedDecapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
. Among the victims, a Swedish worker and guards from Nepal were confirmed dead, as well as a Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
officer, Lt. Colonel Siri Skare
Siri Skare
Siri Skare was the first female aviator in the armed forces of Norway. She died during a demonstration in Mazar-i-Sharif in 2011.-Early life:Skare was originally from Åndalsnes, Møre og Romsdal, Norway...
, and a Romanian national. In addition, five protesters were killed, with twenty wounded. By 2 April, the total death toll had been established as fourteen.
Response
After the incident, a state of emergency was declared in Mazar-i-Sharif. Roads near the city were blocked, and cars were inspected by army and police forces. Staffan de MisturaStaffan de Mistura
Staffan de Mistura is a long-serving Italian-Swedish diplomat. After a 36 year career in various UN agencies, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon appointed him as his Special Representative for Iraq on 11 September 2007...
, the senior UN representative in Afghanistan, traveled to Mazar-i-Sharif hours after the incident.
UN regulations state that after attacks on UN-personnel, recall (of staff) and suspension of UN operations, have to be considered. (An attack in 2009, which killed five UN workers, led to relocation of workers (to Dubai), temporarily.) Despite these regulations, a spokesperson said that there was "not a question of us pulling out. The U.N. is here to stay."
Reactions
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-MoonBan Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
said that the incident was "an outrageous and cowardly attack against UN staff, which cannot be justified under any circumstances and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms."
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid
Zabiullah Mujahid
Zabiullah Mujahid is one of the self proclaimed spokesmen for the Taliban who is believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. He has acted as a media conduit between the isolationist rebel forces and Western media teams. He was interviewed with his back towards the TV camera in early 2009 by CNN reporter...
said "The Taliban had nothing to do with this, it was a pure act of responsible Muslims." President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
said in a statement that "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan [...] I offer my deepest condolences to those injured and killed, as well as to their loved ones." U.S. legislators, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
Harry Reid
Harry Mason Reid is the senior United States Senator from Nevada, serving since 1987. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been the Senate Majority Leader since January 2007, having previously served as Minority Leader and Minority and Majority Whip.Previously, Reid was a member of the U.S...
, also condemned both the burning and the violence in reaction to it.