Several large explosions and bursts of gunfire were heard on Sunday near the United States embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul, although the target was not immediately clear.
The US embassy sounded alarms and warned staff to take cover, AFP reporters heard from their office near the embassy in the Wazir Akbar Khan area, which houses many diplomatic missions.
A newly built hotel, the Kabul Star hotel, was reportedly on fire in an area, which includes a major US military base, the United Nations office and the presidential palace.
Reports were coming in of gunfire in other parts of the capital.