Protests broke out in several Afghan cities following reports that international troops at Bagram air base had desecrated copies of the Koran in what U.S. officials described on February 21 as an unintentional incident. On the third day of protests, February 23, the Taliban urged Afghans to violence, saying they should "beat and capture" foreigners.
Afghan Koran-Burning Protests Turn Violent
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An Afghan policeman flees as protesters throw rocks near a U.S. military base in Kabul on February 22, the second day of unrest after reports that NATO troops had burned copies of the Muslim holy book.
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Smoke billows from a fuel tank supplying NATO troops after it was set on fire by protesters during a demonstration in Jalalabad on February 22.
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Demonstrators parade an effigy of U.S. President Barack Obama as they shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest in Jalalabad on February 22 against the reported Koran desecrations.
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An Afghan boy runs next to fire during a protest in Jalalabad on February 22.
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An Afghan protester kicks a gate to a foreign army base gate during a Kabul protest on February 22.
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Afghan security forces square off in front of a scattered crowd in Kabul during February 22 protesting.
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Men shout anti-U.S. slogans during a demonstration in Jalalabad Province, one of the centers of tension following the reported Koran burnings, on February 22.
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A demonstration in Jalalabad on February 22.
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Security forces try to disperse a protest in Kabul at which tires were being burned.
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Protesters outside Bagram air base, one of the international forces' main Afghan facilities, on February 22.
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An Afghan security troop at the ready during the Kabul unrest.
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Demonstrators on a main street as protests in Kabul Province continued on February 22.
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An injured boy is carried away from a demonstration in Jalalabad Province on February 22.
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An Afghan youth shouts anti-U.S. slogans during a protest in Kabul on February 22.
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Afghan boys remove a burned tire from a Kabul street after a demonstration on February 22.
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A man points to blood on a street during a protest near a U.S. military facility in Kabul on February 22.
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A wounded protester lies on the ground as Afghan policemen keep watch during a protest in Kabul on February 23.
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Afghan demonstrators run as they shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest against Koran desecration in Kabul on February 23.