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.^[1] Reports indicated that the assault began at 5:30 am on the front gate of the consulate. A large truck drove up to the consulate's primary vehicle entry point and detonated a massive improvised explosive charge, causing extensive damage.^[2] A minivan carrying an assault team armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades arrived and opened fire, moving into the consulate compound. Then, the driver of the minivan ignited a bomb inside the minivan, which exploded a short time afterwards.^[3] Eight Afghan members of the consulate's guard force and one Afghan police officer were killed. An unknown number of bystanders were wounded.^[4] A gun battle ensued, and all seven attackers were killed. No Americans were killed or seriously injured. The U.S. Department of State awarded Heroism Awards to several of the consulate's defenders.^[5]

2013 attack on U.S. consulate in Herat
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Location of Herat Province in Afghanistan
Location	Herat, Afghanistan
Date	13 September 2013 5.30 am
Target	U.S. consulate
Attack type	Truck bombing, mass shooting
Weapons	Truck bomb, assault rifles, RPGs
Deaths	8 attackers, 8 guards, and 1 Afghan policeman
Injured	20
Perpetrators	Taliban

The Taliban took credit for the attack in an emailed statement.^[6]

In a press release, the United Nations condemned the attack "in the strongest terms."^[7]

See also

• 2014 attack on Indian consulate in Herat