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    October 06, 2011

Afghans Protest on Eve of Invasion Anniversary

   VOA News
   Afghan people take part in an anti U.S. rally organized by '
   Afghanistan Hambastegi' party in Kabul, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011.
   Photo: AP
   Afghan people take part in an anti U.S. rally organized by '
   Afghanistan Hambastegi' party in Kabul, Afghanistan, Oct. 6, 2011.

   At least 200 Afghans have taken to the streets of the capital calling
   for an immediate withdrawal of international forces from the country
   ahead of the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion.
   People gathered peacefully Thursday in Kabul carrying placards
   condemning the invasion and blaming the U.S. and its allies for
   civilian deaths.
   The demonstration was meant to mark the 10th anniversary of the October
   7 invasion of Afghanistan which ousted the Taliban regime from power.
   There are currently more than 130,000 international troops in
   Afghanistan, with the majority from the United States.
   International forces have begun handing over security responsibilities
   to Afghanistan's army and police in a gradual process that will see all
   foreign combat troops leaving the country by the end of 2014.
   In violence Thursday, insurgents opened fire on a civilian bus killing
   a man and a child. The attack in southern Helmand province left 16
   others wounded.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.