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AFGHANISTAN-US-CONFLICT-EXPLOSION
Blast damages hospital near Bagram airbase in Afghanistan
KABUL, Dec 11, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A bomb exploded close to the largest US
military base in Afghanistan on Wednesday, injuring at least five people and
damaging a hospital that was under construction near the entrance to Bagram
Airfield, officials said.
The attack — which has not yet been claimed — comes as Washington resumed
talks with the Taliban on Saturday, three months after President Donald Trump
abruptly halted diplomatic efforts that could end America’s longest war.
“The explosion happened in front of the gate of the Korean hospital which
is almost adjacent to Bagram airfield,” Parwan governor spokeswoman Wahida
Shahkar said, referring to the US airbase in eastern Parwan province.
“So far five injured civilians have been transferred to the hospital.”
NATO’s Resolute Support mission said there were no US or coalition
casualties and “Bagram remained secure throughout the attack”.
“The attack was quickly contained and repelled… but the future medical
facility was badly damaged,” it added in a statement.
Bagram district governor Abdul Shukoor Qudoosi gave a higher toll of at
least 50 civilians wounded in what he said was a “powerful” suicide car bomb.
He said the blast was followed by fighting with armed assailants.
President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to Bagram, north of Kabul, on
November 28 to celebrate Thanksgiving with his troops and meet with Afghan
President Ashraf Ghani.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1341 hrs