Rockets fired at Kabul Palace during Eid prayers

Rockets hit the Afghan capital, landing near the presidential palace during prayers for Eid Al Adha. But it was not clear who was behind the attack.

The interior ministry spokesperson Mirwais Stanekzai said, “Three rockets landed outside the palace”.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The rockets, fired at around 8:00 am (0330 GMT) and heard across the heavily fortified Green Zone that houses the presidential palace and several embassies, including the US mission.

The attack interrupted an outdoor gathering for prayers in the palace compound attended by President Ashraf Ghani, television images showed.

However, the prayers continued amid the sound of explosions, and Ghani later delivered a speech from an outdoor podium, broadcast on local media.

Video by national TV shows the moment rockets landed near the Presidential Palace during Eid prayers this morning. pic.twitter.com/WmEniyfLfM

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) July 20, 2021

Insecurity has been growing in Afghanistan, largely spurred by fighting in its provinces as foreign troops withdraw and Taleban insurgents launch major offensives, taking districts and border crossings.

Unlike some previous years, the Taleban did not declare a ceasefire during the Eid holiday this year.

Rockets have been aimed at the presidential palace several times in the past, the last being in December.

This week on Monday, 15 diplomatic missions and the NATO representative in Kabul urged the Taliban to halt offensives, just hours after the group and the Afghan government failed to agree on a ceasefire at their talks in Doha