Three Americans were among the 21 killed in a commando-style attack by Taliban insurgents on a popular Kabul restaurant, officials said Saturday.
The dead from Friday’s assault in Afghanistan — one of the deadliest against foreign civilians since the war began nearly 13 years ago — also included 13 foreigners and eight Afghans, all civilians, in an attack that could mark a pivotal point for international organizations in Kabul.
Those killed included two US citizens working for the American University of Afghanistan, Alexis “Lexie’’ Kamerman of Chicago and Alexandros Peterson.
“She was an amazing young woman — smart, strong beautiful, funny, stubborn and kind. And fearless,’’ said a statement released by Kamerman’s heartbroken family.
“She took the job [at the school] to help the young women of Afghanistan get an education and take their rightful place as leaders in Afghan society . . . We can’t imagine a moment going forward when she won’t be desperately missed.’’
The other school employee who died was Alexandros Petersen, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The third US citizen was Basra Hassan, a Somali-American nutritionist employed by the UN.
Other victims included two Britons, two Canadians, two Lebanese, a Danish cop, a Malaysian and a Pakistani.
Desperate customers hid under tables when one attacker detonated his suicide vest at the fortified entrance to the Taverna du Liban just after 7 p.m. Friday and two other militants stormed in and opened fire.
After a sporadic exchange of gunfire that lasted two hours, security forces said they had killed the two attackers.
The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in reprisal for an Afghan military operation earlier in the week against insurgents in Parwan province, which the terrorists claimed killed many civilians.
“The target of the attack was a restaurant frequented by high-ranking foreigners,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote in an e-mailed statement. He said the attack targeted a place “where the invaders used to dine with booze and liquor in the plenty.”
