[Updated at 10:35 a.m. ET] Two American troops were killed in Afghanistan on Thursday near a demonstration where people were protesting the burning of Qurans by NATO troops.
The troops were killed by a person wearing an Afghan National Army uniform, a U.S. official said, asking not to be named discussing casualties.
The troops are among at least nine people who have been killed near or amid demonstrations that have erupted in Afghanistan since the burning of the Islamic religious material by NATO troops at the beginning of the week. It is not clear if the troops were killed in revenge for the burning of Qurans, but the attack occurred at a base outside of which the demonstration was taking place, a local official said.
The protest and shootings came as the Taliban called on Muslims to attack NATO military bases and convoys and kill its soldiers following the admission that NATO troops had incinerated Islamic religious material at Bagram Airfield.
Afghan officials investigating the Quran burning urged Afghans to respond wisely and avoid protests "that pave the ground for the enemies of peace," they said in a statement Thursday.
[Initial post, 8:09 a.m. ET] President Barack Obama apologized to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the burning of Qurans by NATO troops, calling the act an inadvertent error, Karzai's office and National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said Thursday.
"We will take the appropriate steps to avoid any recurrence, including holding accountable those responsible," Obama said in the letter, according to Karzai's office.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the airfield Tuesday, furious over reports of the burning.
Belief Blog: Rioting over Quran burning is un-Islamic, scholar argues
Some Qurans and other Islamic religious materials gathered for disposal from a detention facility at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan were improperly burned, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force said Tuesday.
"This was not a decision that was made because they were religious materials," Gen. John Allen said. "It was not a decision that was made with respect to the faith of Islam. It was a mistake. It was an error. The moment we found out about it, we immediately stopped and we intervened."
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When Obama was abjectly apologizing to the corrupt President of Afghanistan Karzai over the burning of some holy books, I wonder if he bothered to ask for an apology for the murder of two American solidiers by an Afghan soldier??? I suppose Obama wouldn't want ot bother President Karzai over something as minor as the murder of two American soldiers when something so momentus as the burining of a few books was the most important topic?
@Valwayne, who don't know by now in the Armed forces and the world that one will be murdered. Where were you when the Pastor threatened to burn the Quran, and the Armed Forces and Politician gave him warning not to do so.
Let me understand this. The book is descrated already by terroists suspects with terroists scribble and they get a free pass. The book is loaded with hatred and intolerance, why should the reaction be a surprise?
How does anyone know what kind of communication goes on between the POTUS and other heads of states?
We don't.
Not everything is released to the media, probably because of the biased spin doctor's take on things tend to incite more hate...from both sides.
I would say I agree with Sean, not sure if I would say it all that way, but I appreicate your boldness, I did have some of the same thoughts. What were these men thinking?? They have caused even a more unsafe place for our soldiers than it already was. My son is in Afganistan right now and my heart goes out to all the service men and women that are there serving our country and keeping us safe. I do feel our president should step in to appologize for disrespecting their religion as he did, but I am really upset that nothing is being said or done about our 2 men we have lost because of this. I am only assuming the Afganistan Soldier that did this, was shot dead? From a mother's stand point, If being over there has helped in anyway (?) for what ever reasong (?) If our Soldiers had any acquaintances over there that they could trust to a point (?), this has messed up anything that was once accompolished. Now our men and women are place, over night, in a once again, even more so, hostile environment! Because of one ignorant act! I pray to our Lord Jesus Christ that he keeps his protecting hand on our Soldiers!
Obama apologizing again to these savages...what about the two young soldiers who were killed? did he call their parents and apologize to them for putting their children in harm's way?
We need a President who's proud to be an American and who would never think of apologizing in a situation such as this. Has Karzai apologized for the deaths of these two young soldiers...or are American lives dispensable now? who the heck cares about their koran...they're busy decapitating people because of their religion...remember Daniel Pearl and the countless other Americans who were slaughtered by these savages and their executions videotaped. How about the dead American soldier whose body was dragged behind a truck in Somalia? did any of these savages apologize for that...If the press has any type of guts, it would ask all these questions of Obama's administration.
One of the soldiers killed was the son-in-law of a friend of mine. I am sick with grief for this family and the family of the other soldier who died. An apology...really?
Itlooks like you only what you like
What about our troops that were killed, American life over a book, not one Afgan to say sorry for your loss, they cheer and rise for more blood, Obama has taken a side and got on his knees for his brotherhood and the ones who are against us, He said he was Sorry, well I am not........, he should be enraged by the death of our men. We the people of America need to get off our lazy butts and mass together as a nation as well, its time to show thease fools from around the world that killing our people will come with a harsh price
i'm sure most afghans *facepalm*ed when the news came out. everywhere you look, you will find a silent majority that can't believe what the vocal minority is doing.
even here..
It looks like you only post what you like to see I that why you did not post what wrote
Mr President, Your apologies are unnecessary. This was a NATO offense, the apology should come from NATO. By apologies you take the blame, this may have gotten our soldiers killed by ignorance. Please think next time.
Semper Fi
NATO, how can we trust any of you combined nations or your leader if you don't act appropriately during times like these. At what point does NATO take responsibility?
Every nation that has gone into Afghanistan has failed because they all try to do the same thing: reform or subjugate the Afghan people. There are other options.
Idiots.
Why can't we bring our troops home and let those idiots kill each other? I don't understand why we are still there fighting for our freedom. Give me a break. Are we that stupid to think that the country has anything to do with OUR freedom. Obama promised to bring our troops home so why are they still over there in that hell hole?
Bush got us into this mess and Obama promised to get us out. Why are we still over there? Can someone tell me. The person responsible for 9/11, Bin Laden, is finally dead so what it the excuse for our troops still in that crazy place? I didn't vote for Obama last time and I won't this time unless he can show us some balls. On this and the gas prices. Why do we even have a president?
Obama Is A Coward and He lies. And None Of You care About Those Troops. Just an Excuse.
My husband was severly injured in Afghanistan in May 2008 much the same way this happened by someone wearing an Afghan Army uniform and attacking his compound. Fortunately no one else was hurt badly. Stranegly enough these two young men were from my husband's old unit but he did not know them as they transferred there after he was medically retired. My heart and prayers go out to their family, friends, and comrades they served with.