Afghan President slams Taliban; rockets target Kabul palace

Afghan security personnel inspect a vehicle which was firing rockets in Kabul on Tuesday. Pic/AP

At least three rockets hit near the presidential palace on Tuesday shortly before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was to give an address to mark the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

There were no injuries and the rockets landed outside the heavily fortified palace grounds, said Mirwais Stanikzai, spokesman for the interior minister.

The palace is in the middle of a so-called Green Zone that is fortified with giant cement blast walls and barbed wire, and streets near the palace have long been closed off.

The barrage came as the US and NATO complete their final withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Many Afghans are worried whether their war-ravaged country will fall deeper into chaos and violence as foreign forces withdraw and the Taliban gain more territory on the ground, having captured several districts and key border crossings with neighboring countries over the past weeks.

"This Eid has been named after Afghan forces to honor their sacrifices and courage, especially in the last three months," Ghani said following morning prayers for Eid al-Adha. "The Taliban have no intention and willingness for peace," he added.

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No. of rockets that landed near the palace

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