Four Taliban suicide bombers dead in attack on UN base in Herat, Afghanistan

 Four Taliban suicide bombers have died in an attack on the UN base in the Afghan city of Herat. At least one of the attackers was wearing a burqa, while the rest wore Afghan police uniforms.¹ A car bomber and one other attacker blew themselves up at the gate of the UN compound, while another blew himself up inside and a fourth was shot and killed.² There were body parts, probably of the attackers, strewn around the gate after the attack.³ Three security guards were injured⁴ but no UN staff were hurt. Taliban claimed responsibility through spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi⁵ and a commander, Mullah Bilal.⁶ Taliban declared earlier this year that all foreigners, including diplomats and aid workers, along with Afghans working for them were legitimate targets.⁷

Sources: AFP 3, 4, 5, 7. Reuters 1, 2, 6.

Bomb attack against UN envoy to Iraq

 The convoy of Ad Melkert, UN's special representative to Iraq, was attacked by a roadside bomb while leaving Najaf after a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Melkert was unharmed. Reuters reports one policeman killed and three injured, but city police officials deny the attack even took place.

Source: The Canadian Press, Reuters