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US citizens killed in Afghanistan US civilians die in Afghanistan
(10 minutes later)
Eight Americans have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in south-eastern Afghanistan, US officials say. Eight US civilians have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in south-eastern Afghanistan, American officials say.
The attack happened at a US military base in Regional Command East, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.The attack happened at a US military base in Regional Command East, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.
Reports say the bomber was wearing an explosive vest in the attack, at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, on the border with Pakistan.Reports say the bomber was wearing an explosive vest in the attack, at Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost Province, on the border with Pakistan.
One unnamed official at the Defence Department said that all of those killed were civilians. Some reports suggested the attack happened in the gym at the base. It is not clear how many people were injured.
Some reports suggested the attack happened in the gym at the base.
Details are still emerging and it is not clear how many people have been injured.
"We mourn the loss of life in this attack, and are withholding further details pending notification of next of kin," Mr Kelly said."We mourn the loss of life in this attack, and are withholding further details pending notification of next of kin," Mr Kelly said.
Earlier, a US defence official and a US embassy employee said the victims were all civilians.
A spokesman for Isaf, the international Nato force in Afghanistan, said that "no US and no Isaf military personnel were killed or injured" in the incident.A spokesman for Isaf, the international Nato force in Afghanistan, said that "no US and no Isaf military personnel were killed or injured" in the incident.
Khost province - which is one of the Taliban's strongholds - has been targeted by militants over the past year.Khost province - which is one of the Taliban's strongholds - has been targeted by militants over the past year.
The number of foreign civilians deployed in Afghanistan has been rising as international efforts there focus increasingly on development and aid.The number of foreign civilians deployed in Afghanistan has been rising as international efforts there focus increasingly on development and aid.
Civilians work alongside military reconstruction teams at provincial bases around the country.Civilians work alongside military reconstruction teams at provincial bases around the country.
A "civilian surge" was one of the three core elements of the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced by US President Barack Obama at the beginning of the month.A "civilian surge" was one of the three core elements of the new US strategy for Afghanistan announced by US President Barack Obama at the beginning of the month.
This has been the deadliest year for foreign troops since the 2001 invasion.This has been the deadliest year for foreign troops since the 2001 invasion.