Afghanistan: Karzai Calls for Calm Amid Rioting in Kabul

Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for calm on May 29 after several people were killed in riots sparked by a deadly traffic accident involving US soldiers in the capital, Kabul.

Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets and gunfire broke out in central Kabul May 29 after protests caused when a US military vehicle smashed into rush-hour traffic. Early, unconfirmed reports say US and Afghan troops may have fired on a threatening crowd, killing and injuring others.

Buildings and vehicles were set ablaze and shops closed in Kabul as protests targeted the United States and the central Afghan government.

Afghanistan's presidential office released a statement saying five people were killed in the traffic accident.

A US military spokesman said troops may have fired on hostile crowds. He also said the US-led coalition regrets any deaths or injuries resulting from it.

Protesters marched toward the presidential palace and near the US and British embassies. Hundreds of Afghan security forces and NATO troops were deployed around the city to try to control the situation.

The Afghan Interior Ministry and parliament have called for calm in the face of the mounting riots. And erratic gunfire is being reported in the capital.

As the riots gained momentum in the afternoon, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Yunos Qanuni urged protesters to be patient and to let the government handle the situation.

Convoy Crashes

A US-led coalition spokeswoman, Lieutenant Tamara Lawrence, said the trouble began the morning of May 29 when a vehicle in a US convoy went out of control, smashing into other cars. In addition to the deaths, several others were injured.

As a crowd gathered, people reportedly began throwing stones at the US vehicle.

Shots Fired

Rioting quickly followed, as the crowd swelled in size. Shots were fired in the ensuing chaos, although it is unclear whether the gunfire came from Afghan or US troops.

A NATO spokesperson has suggested that warning shots were fired in an effort to disperse a threatening crowd. But reports suggest that several people are dead and many others wounded from gunfire.

The outcry appeared to take on a more broadly political tone as marchers chanted anti-US and antigovernment slogans. Protesters neared the palace that houses President Hamid Karzai, and embassy buildings.

Reuters reports that dozens of protesters forced through a police cordon around a road leading to the US Embassy, throwing stones at passing vehicles.

One of the protesters, Jaweed Agha, spoke to Reuters. "We don't accept Karzai as president anymore, and we protest against him," he said.

Violence Ensues

A police station, police vehicles, and other cars were set on fire.

Shopkeepers have closed down their downtown businesses after reports of looting.

Afghan National Army troops and police have been deployed around Kabul to prevent people from entering the city. Two tanks of NATO peacekeepers were seen driving at high speed through the city center.

US forces have been placed in lockdown -- with troops reportedly prevented from leaving US or coalition facilities.