April 1, 2011
| Date | 1 April 2011 |
|---|---|
| Location | Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan |
| Coordinates | 36°42′N 67°07′E / 36.700°N 67.117°ECoordinates: 36°42′N 67°07′E / 36.700°N 67.117°E |
| Deaths | At least 14 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 20 |
The 2011 Mazar-i-Sharif attack occurred on 1 April 2011 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 United Nations staff members and four Nepalese guards. Additionally, five protesters died in the violence.
The violence began as a protest against the burning of the Quran in the United States, overseen by an American pastor,Terry Jones, on 20 March 2011. The incident was denounced by President Hamid Karzai in a press release on 24 March, and again in a speech on 31 March. News report that most Afghans learned of the incident through Karzai's announcement.
A riot erupted in Mazar-i-Sharif on 1 April 2011 during the protest over the burning of the Qur'an in the US. 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 mullahs 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.
...
Wikipedia