US Assisting Afghan Forces in Non-Combat Role Amid University Attack

A small number of US military personnel are advising the Afghan security forces’ response to an attack on the American University in Kabul, but are not playing a combat role, US Resolute Support Director of Public Affairs Col. Michael Lawhorn told Sputnik on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "There are a small number of Resolute Support advisors that are assisting their Afghan counterparts as Afghan forces are responding to develop the situation further," Lawhorn said. "These advisors are not taking a combat role, but advising their Afghan counterparts."

Earlier on Wednesday, the Afghan news channel TOLOnews reported that armed assailants had breached the university after setting off explosives outside.

Italian medical charity Emergency said in a message that five people have been injured in the attack and were hospitalized.

Earlier in the day, the US embassy in Kabul issued a security message urging US citizens to avoid the area near an attack on American University in Afghanistan.