US forces shoot Kabul rioters after death crash

US and Afghan security forces fired on protesters in the Afghan capital after a riot erupted today because of a deadly traffic accident involving US troops, and at least four people were killed, police and witnesses said.

A Kabul police chief, Sher Shah Usafi, said at least three people were killed and 16 wounded in the crash, while US forces killed one person and wounded two when they fired on dozens of rioters shouting “Down with America!” and throwing stones at them while they fled the area.

A commander for the city’s traffic police who was at the scene said he also saw US forces firing on protesters. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

A US military spokeswoman, Lt. Tamara Lawrence, confirmed US troops were involved in the accident but said she had no reports of the soldiers opening fire.

An AP reporter at the site said he saw Afghan police firing into a crowd, but that the US troops had already left the area.