Karzai’s office said Obama called the Quran burnings ‘‘inadvertent,’’ adding that the US ‘‘will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, to include holding accountable those responsible.’’
US apologies for the desecration — and an appeal from Karzai for calm — have failed to temper the anger of Afghans, who staged rallies in seven provinces today, sparking clashes with Afghan police and security forces that left at least five demonstrators dead. Seven protesters were killed in clashes yesterday.
The two NATO service members were killed in eastern Afghanistan by a man dressed in an Afghan army uniform. Both troops were Americans, according to a US official, who confirmed their nationalities on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the information.
Mohammad Hassan, an official in Nangarhar province where the shooting took place, said the two Americans were shot by an Afghan soldier after soldiers fired in the air to disperse protesters outside a US base in the Khogyani district. Two protesters were also killed in the ensuing gunfire, Afghan officials said.
A rising number of Afghan security forces, or militants wearing their uniforms, have shot and killed US and NATO service members.
The Taliban on today called on Afghans to attack foreign troops, and their spokesman has issued a statement ordering its commanders to embrace and protect the families of any Afghan policeman or soldier who turns his gun on foreign troops. ‘‘Call them heroes,’’ he said.
Protesters also rioted outside a US base in Mehterlam, the capital of Laghman province. Police broke up a demonstration using water cannons and batons after protesters tried to storm the base.
‘‘Hundreds of our people in Laghman province gathered because of the burning of the holy book by the Americans,’’ said protester Mohammad Issa.
