Over a dozen explosions went off around Afghanistan today in a set of coordinated attacks. Taliban forces are taking credit for the attacks, saying it is the start of a 'spring offensive'. The Taliban said the main targets were the German and British embassies, and the headquarters of Afghanistan's NATO-led force.

 

Suicide bombers and gunfire consumed the center of Kabul as Taliban fighters took over buildings and tried to enter parliament. Security forces have been exchanging fire throughout the day, and a total of 19 insurgents have died and 14 police and nine civilians were wounded, the Interior Ministry said.

A Taliban spokesman told Reuters Afghan attacks were retaliation for Koran burnings, the US marine urination video and the Kandahar shooting massacre, as the US and NATO have continued to fumble the projected withdraw of its 130,000 troops by the end of 2014 and hand responsibility for security to Afghan forces.