http://thehill.com/policy/defense/263904-six-nato-troops-dead-after-suicide-bombing-near-us-military-base-in By Rebecca Kheel and Kristina Wong - 12/21/15 10:02 AM EST
Six American troops from the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan were killed and three other soldiers were injured Monday by a suicide bomber near Bagram Air Base.
A U.S. official confirmed to The Hill that all six of the fatalities were Americans. Other American soldiers were reportedly injured.
“We’re deeply saddened by this loss,” said Brig. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner, a spokesman for coalition forces in a statement. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident, especially during this holiday season.”
The Taliban posted a message on Twitter claiming responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by a suicide bomber on a motorcycle, according to NBC News.
The attack happened at about 1:30 p.m. local time Monday, according to NATO. Waheed Sediqi, a spokesman for the governor of Parwan province, told news outlets the attacker detonated an explosive while a convoy of Afghan and international forces were patrolling.
The bombing comes as the Taliban are attempting to regain control of areas they lost to Afghan and coalition troops during the Afghanistan War.
President Obama announced the end of U.S. combat operations in Afghanistan nearly one year ago, on Dec. 28, 2014. Since then, U.S. troops have engaged in combat with Taliban forces in Helmand Province.
In recent days, the Taliban have made gains in taking over Sangin district in the province, according to local reports.
In October, U.S. special operations troops assisted Afghan forces fighting Taliban fighters in Kunduz, where a U.S. aircraft mistakenly bombed a hospital.
Bagram is one of several remaining U.S. military bases in Afghanistan. An attack near Bagram Airfield killed one NATO service member in September.
