Insurgents attack biggest US base in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - At least 50 people, mostly civilians, were injured in Afghanistan on Wednesday following an early morning suicide attack and assault on Bagram Airbase, the country's the biggest U.S. military station in the country, an official confirmed.

District governor of Bagram Abdul Shakoor told Anadolu Agency that the attack began early around 6.00 a.m. local time (0130GMT) at a public health dispensary next to the airbase. He said at least 50 people, mostly civilians, were injured as the gunfight between the attackers and security forces is ongoing.

The NATO-led Resolute Support Mission said in a statement that "enemy forces" conducted an attack on Bagram airfield, targeting a medical facility "being constructed to help the Afghan people who live near the base".

"The attack was quickly contained and repelled by our ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) and Coalition partners, but the future medical facility was badly damaged," the statement said, adding that there were no U.S. or coalition casualties and that Bagram "remained secure throughout the attack."

With no claim of responsibility, the incident comes amid renewed talks between the U.S. and the Taliban in the Qatari capital, Doha.

Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump met his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani during a surprise Thanksgiving visit to American troops in Afghanistan where he claimed his administration had resumed peace talks with the Taliban and that the insurgent group would be willing to observe a ceasefire.

"The Taliban wants to make a deal and we're meeting with them and we're saying it has to be a cease-fire and they didn't want to do a ceasefire and now they do want to do a ceasefire," Trump said at Bagram Air Field.

"I believe it probably will work out that way, and we'll see what happens," Trump added.