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Anti-US Protest Turns Violent in Afghanistan


An anti-American protest turned violent Wednesday, as police and protesters clashed in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

Hundreds of demonstrators chanted "Death to America," burned tires and blocked a main highway, as part of a protest against the previously canceled plans of a small U.S. church to burn hundreds of Qurans.

At least 35 police officers and 10 demonstrators were injured after police moved in to disperse stone-throwing crowds. Afghan officials say police opened fire after being shot at by protesters. Some of the demonstrators waved Taliban flags and police say some members of the militant group had infiltrated the crowd.

The American church's plans to burn Qurans to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks was called off last week amid international outrage.

Separately, two protesters were killed Sunday when police opened fire on a similar demonstration in eastern Logar province.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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