2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat

The U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan was attacked on September 13, 2013 by a group of Taliban militants. Reports indicated that the assault began at 5:30 am on the front gate of the consulate. Attackers armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades arrived in a truck and opened fire, and moments later the truck exploded, causing extensive damage to the front gate. At least two Afghan security guards were killed, and more than 20 were wounded. A gunbattle ensued, and all attackers were killed. A statement released by the U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force described the assault as a "complex attack." Local journalists reported that U.S. forces joined the fight and that several coalition helicopters flew overhead during the firefight.

The Taliban took credit for the attack in an emailed statement.

In a press release, the United Nations condemned the attack "in the strongest terms."