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Thirteen dead in Afghan attacks Afghan bomb dead were CIA agents
(about 1 hour later)
Eight US civilians have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in south-eastern Afghanistan, American officials say. Eight CIA agents have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in south-eastern Afghanistan, US officials confirm.
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.
In a separate attack, five Canadian soldiers and a journalist died when their vehicle was blown up in Kandahar. In a separate attack, four Canadian soldiers and a journalist died when their vehicle was blown up in Kandahar.
It is the worst fatal incident affecting Canadians in Afghanistan for more than two years.It is the worst fatal incident affecting Canadians in Afghanistan for more than two years.
The BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto says the incident will be especially worrying to Canadians, as a civilian was among the dead.The BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto says the incident will be especially worrying to Canadians, as a civilian was among the dead.
The journalist has been identified as Michelle Lang, 34, from the Calgary Herald. She was on her first assignment in Afghanistan.The journalist has been identified as Michelle Lang, 34, from the Calgary Herald. She was on her first assignment in Afghanistan.
Remote areasRemote areas
Initially, the dead Americans were described simply as civilians, but they were later confirmed to be CIA agents.
Any further details are being withheld, pending notification of the families of the deceased.
Some reports suggested the attack on the US civilians happened in the gym at the base. It is not clear how many people were injured.Some reports suggested the attack on the US civilians happened in the gym at the base. It is not clear how many people were 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, however their exact status was unclear.
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.
News that a suicide bomber may have got inside a US facility raises new questions about the security of forward operating bases in remote areas of Afghanistan, the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says.News that a suicide bomber may have got inside a US facility raises new questions about the security of forward operating bases in remote areas of Afghanistan, the BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says.
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.