NATO service member killed in Afghan base attackJanuary 20, 2014 - 16:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An assault by suicide bombers and gunmen against a NATO base in southern Afghanistan on Monday, Jan 20, killed one service member, the coalition said, according to the Associated Press. All nine insurgents were killed during the attack on a coalition base in southern Kandahar's Zhari district, an Afghan official and NATO said. The group wore coalition uniforms and two civilian bystanders also died, the Afghan said. The Taliban have intensified a campaign against Afghan and international forces as foreign troops withdraw this year. The U.S. -led International Security Assistance Force said in a statement that the attack was carried out by a suicide car bomber and insurgents with automatic rifles who were also wearing suicide vests with explosives. "The base is currently secured and all enemy forces were killed as a result of the attack. ISAF officials are still assessing (the) scene of the incident," the statement said. The nationality of the NATO service member was not released. Jawed Faisal, a spokesman for the governor of eastern Kandahar, said nine insurgents took part in the attack against the base, according to the AP. "First a suicide car bomber exploded near the entrance of the base, then other attackers armed with weapons engaged," he said, adding that the insurgents were all were wearing coalition uniforms — a common Taliban tactic. He added that "eight attackers were gunned downed in the firefights. There were a total of nine attackers including the suicide bomber." Two bystanders, a sheep herder and his 13-year-old daughter, were killed in the attack, Faisal said. Zhari is located west of Kandahar city. The southern province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the Taliban. Related links: Related issues: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |