President Barack Obama apologized for the burning of several Korans on an Afghanistan U.S. airbase, following the deaths of Afghans and NATO troops during riots, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.

The Afghan death toll from the riots reached 12, along with two coalition soldiers.

Obama wrote a three-page apology letter to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and promised to hold those responsible for the burning accountable.

Taliban leaders called on the country to ignore Obama’s message and continue attacks against American forces.

Evidence shows there was no intended malice behind the burning of Korans at the air base, according to Pentagon officials.