VOA News July 27 2011
A suicide bomb attack has killed the mayor of Afghanistan's southern city of Kandahar.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing Wednesday that killed Mayor Ghulam Haider Hamidi . Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said Hamidi was targeted following the death of two children who were allegedly killed during the destruction of homes that city officials claimed were illegally constructed.
News reports say Hamidi was meeting with constituents in the city about the land dispute at the time of the attack. Officials said the explosives were hidden in the bomber's turban.
Hamidi's death comes just two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai's half brother was assassinated at his home in Kandahar city.
Violence in the country has increased as Afghans begin taking security control from U.S. and NATO-led forces.
Some 33,000 American forces are set to leave Afghanistan by September of 2012. Last week, the first seven areas of Afghanistan were transitioned from NATO control to Afghan forces. Most foreign combat troops are set to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
Hamidi's death comes just two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai's half brother was assassinated at his home in Kandahar city.
Violence in the country has increased as Afghans begin taking security control from U.S. and NATO-led forces.
Some 33,000 American forces are set to leave Afghanistan by September of 2012. Last week, the first seven areas of Afghanistan were transitioned from NATO control to Afghan forces. Most foreign combat troops are set to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
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