Taliban Assaults U.S. Charity’s Guesthouse in Afghan Capital

The Taliban launched an attack Friday on a Kabul guesthouse used by California-based nonprofit Roots of Peace, part of a wave of violence in the Afghan capital ahead of this week’s presidential election, reports The Washington Post.

Twenty-five foreign residents were released after a standoff that began with an assault involving a suicide car bombing and four gunmen and ended with an intervention by Afghan forces, who killed the attackers. Roots of Peace workers were unharmed save for some injuries from shattered glass, but an Afghan girl was killed during the attack.

The stepped-up violence has included several moves against Western targets. In a statement, the Taliban claimed the guesthouse was being used by foreigners as a “church used to convert Afghans.” Roots of Peace, which has no stated religious ties, has worked in Afghanistan since 2003 helping farmers cultivate vineyards and orchards.