On 1 April 2011, protesters in the city of Mazar‑i‑Sharif attacked the compound of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The attack stemmed from outrage over the burning of the Koran in the United States. As the crowd overwhelmed site defences, the compound was overrun, guard towers were toppled and UN staff were killed. Seven foreign staff, including three UN employees and four Nepalese guards, died. Five protesters also died during the violence. The attack triggered a state of emergency in the region and raised concerns about the safety of international personnel in Afghanistan. The incident underscored how volatile social and religious protests could become amid ongoing conflict.
