Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An attack on the main US base in Afghanistan killed two soldiers of the NATO-led force today, the alliance said, in the first known casualties caused by hostile fire on the base since the Taliban's ouster.
At least six other soldiers were wounded in the strike on Bagram air field which lies some 50 km (30 miles) north of Kabul and serves as the hub of operations for some 57,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, NATO said in a statement.
A spokesman for NATO said the casualties were caused by three out of four rounds of mortars fired that landed inside the perimeter of the sprawling base, which has been hit by rocket attacks several times in the past.
He said the air field was functioning, but could not confirm or deny whether the casualties caused by today's attack were the first of their kind since US troops have been stationed there after toppling the Taliban from power in late 2001.
The statement said it was unclear if there were civilian casualties among Afghans living near the base.
NATO has not identified the nationality of the casualties, but most foreign troops based in Bagram are US soldiers, part of the 57,000-strong US force who along with some 33,000 NATO troops are fighting a resurgent Taliban.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments