This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/385910-afghanistan-us-base-blast/
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bomb attack near US army camp in Afghanistan as Defense Sec Mattis visits Kabul – reports | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A suicide blast has reportedly taken place near an airfield used by the US military in Afghanistan, according to local media. It occurred shortly after US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in the country. | A suicide blast has reportedly taken place near an airfield used by the US military in Afghanistan, according to local media. It occurred shortly after US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in the country. |
| Photos on social media show a plume of smoke rising from the scene. | |
| The attack, which reportedly happened in the eastern province of Khost, comes after Mattis’ arrival to discuss the situation on the ground, as President Donald Trump contemplates sending more troops to Afghanistan. | The attack, which reportedly happened in the eastern province of Khost, comes after Mattis’ arrival to discuss the situation on the ground, as President Donald Trump contemplates sending more troops to Afghanistan. |
| Khost Airfield has been used by the US military, but was developed and expanded for public use in recent years. Construction is currently underway to turn it into an international airport. | Khost Airfield has been used by the US military, but was developed and expanded for public use in recent years. Construction is currently underway to turn it into an international airport. |
| General John Nicholson, the top American commander in Kabul, recently told Congress that he needs a few thousand more soldiers deployed to assist Afghan security forces, so they can eventually tackle the Taliban insurgency on their own. | General John Nicholson, the top American commander in Kabul, recently told Congress that he needs a few thousand more soldiers deployed to assist Afghan security forces, so they can eventually tackle the Taliban insurgency on their own. |
| The US currently has around 9,800 troops in Afghanistan. Although Washington ended its combat mission against the Taliban in 2014, troops are currently involved in backing up Afghan forces on the ground. | The US currently has around 9,800 troops in Afghanistan. Although Washington ended its combat mission against the Taliban in 2014, troops are currently involved in backing up Afghan forces on the ground. |
| READ MORE: Casualty count from Afghan base attack rises to 100 – Defense Ministry | READ MORE: Casualty count from Afghan base attack rises to 100 – Defense Ministry |
| More than 100 Afghan soldiers were killed and injured in a Taliban attack on a military base in northern Afghanistan on Friday, according to the country’s Defense Ministry. | More than 100 Afghan soldiers were killed and injured in a Taliban attack on a military base in northern Afghanistan on Friday, according to the country’s Defense Ministry. |
| The attack prompted Afghanistan's defense minister and chief of staff to resign on Monday. |