Meanwhile, in Afghanistan (US embassy warning)

[High Plains]

Warden Message

July 25, 2006



Increase in Improvised Explosive Devices



Over the past month, there has been a surge in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombings in Afghanistan.



· This morning (July 25), an IED exploded on New Bagram Road. We are still gathering information about casualties and method. All Americans are advised to avoid this road for the next several hours while authorities look for secondary devices.

· On July 24, a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacked Coalition Forces in Kandahar.

· On July 23 in Farah, two presumed suicide bombers with IEDs attached to their motorcycle were killed when police shot at their motorcycle as they drove through the capital. One child was also killed and one person was wounded when the bullets detonated the explosives.

· On July 22, there were two suicide bombing attacks in Kandahar, killing eight. Also on the evening of the 22nd, an IED went off on Airport Road in Kabul. A secondary bomb was discovered at the scene and defused.

· On July 20, one was killed and two were injured when an IED exploded in Kabul's Police District 5.

· On July 13, an IED attached to a bicycle exploded in Mazaar-e-Sharif, wounding six.

· On July 5, in Kabul's Police District 2, an IED in a vendor cart exploded near the Ministry of Communications, injuring four. Shortly thereafter, an IED in a wheelbarrow detonated in Police District 11, just as a busload of Afghan government workers was passing by; several were wounded.

· On July 4, a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Ministry of Finance. Also on the 4th, an IED exploded in the Bagrami area of Kabul. Additionally, a suicide bomber detonated himself in Kandahar, killing one.



The U.S. Embassy also believes that insurgents are planning additional bombings throughout Afghanistan that could target American citizens, Coalition forces, and U.S. military and Government interests.



The Embassy urges Americans to practice good security measures:



--be aware of your surroundings;

--vary your times and routes of travel;

--avoid traveling after dark;

--do not travel alone

--avoid traffic bottlenecks;

--avoid crowded areas and demonstrations.



From time to time, the U.S. Embassy places areas frequented by foreigners off-limits to its personnel depending on current security conditions. Military facilities, restaurants, hotels, Internet cafés and bazaars are all potential targets.



Americans in Afghanistan are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. As the Embassy continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens in Afghanistan, it will share them with the American community via the Warden System. We take this opportunity to remind the community of the continuing threats outlined in the current Travel Warning for Afghanistan and Worldwide Caution Public Announcement. The full text of each can be found at http://travel.state.gov. Updated information may also be obtained by contacting the American Embassy in Kabul at [e-mail] or by calling the Consular Section on 070-20-1908.



The Department of State also shares information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, U.S. travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.



Sincerely,



Consular Section

U.S. Embassy Kabul

[High Plains]

1. The situation is deteriorating

I was there in October, and that was the first time a suicide car bomber struck. Now they occur frequently, and the Afghans are apparently learning lessons from Iraq, as the use of IEDs indicates.