Missiles Explode Near German Base in Afghanistan
February 1, 2003
Three rockets detonated Friday night near a base in Afghanistan where German peacekeeping forces are stationed. No one was injured in the bombing, a German military spokesman confirmed.
Between 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. local time, three rockets were seen flying over the German peacekeepers' base "Camp Warehouse" in Kabul, a Bundeswehr spokesman told DW-WORLD. The missiles detonated at points 500 – 2,000 meters (550 – 2,190 yards) southwest of the camp.
German military experts and the Afghan authorities are investigating the cause. The Bundeswehr could not confirm whether the German troops, members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), had been specifically targeted by the perpetrators.
The last such incident took place in mid-December, in which an Afghan man exploded a hand grenade in front of the German base, killing himself and two French civilians.
The situation in Kabul remains instable, and the missile detonations have led to increased security at the German base.
Around 1700 German soldiers are now stationed in Kabul. On February 10, Germany and the Netherlands will assume the leadership of ISAF, currently held by Turkey. The force is responsible for ensuring security in and around Kabul. Around 5000 soldiers from 22 countries make up ISAF.