Herat, Afghanistan
Hundreds of people ransacked and burned U.N. buildings and international aid agencies in Herat this week, protesting the replacement of Herat’s governor, warlord Ismail Khan. Four people were killed and hundreds were wounded in clashes with police and American troops. For the past month, forces loyal to Khan had been battling those loyal to another warlord, and President Hamid Karzai appointed a new governor hoping to restore order and extend central government control. Mobs turned their wrath on the offices of the World Health Organization and a refugee agency, saying foreigners had conspired with Karzai to oust Khan. American troops had to rescue 30 trapped U.N. employees. Khan himself appealed for calm, calling the violence “the work of a law-breaking group of individuals who are against the people of Herat and against peace and security.”
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