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Afghanistan: Suicide attack kills 13 Americans Afghanistan: Suicide attack kills 13 Americans
(40 minutes later)
A suicide bomber in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has killed 13 Americans - five International Security Assistance Force soldiers and eight civilian staff.A suicide bomber in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has killed 13 Americans - five International Security Assistance Force soldiers and eight civilian staff.
The Taliban say one of their militants detonated the explosives-laden car near the bus carrying them, in the Darulaman area. Three Afghan civilians and a police officer were also killed.The Taliban say one of their militants detonated the explosives-laden car near the bus carrying them, in the Darulaman area. Three Afghan civilians and a police officer were also killed.
It is one of the worst ground attacks against foreign troops since 2001.It is one of the worst ground attacks against foreign troops since 2001.
Such attacks are rare in heavily-guarded Kabul.Such attacks are rare in heavily-guarded Kabul.
Separately, three Australian soldiers were killed by a man in Afghan army uniform. Nato said the gunman was also killed in that attack in the south of the country.Separately, three Australian soldiers were killed by a man in Afghan army uniform. Nato said the gunman was also killed in that attack in the south of the country.
And a teenage girl carried out a suicide attack on a building of the Afghan spy agency, the National Directorate of Security, in the eastern province of Kunar, killing herself and wounding several NDS personnel.And a teenage girl carried out a suicide attack on a building of the Afghan spy agency, the National Directorate of Security, in the eastern province of Kunar, killing herself and wounding several NDS personnel.
Fewer attacks have hit Kabul this year, compared to 2010.Fewer attacks have hit Kabul this year, compared to 2010.
But the Taliban and the Pakistan-based Haqqani network, which is linked to it, have still been able to penetrate the city's defences.But the Taliban and the Pakistan-based Haqqani network, which is linked to it, have still been able to penetrate the city's defences.
In September, the Haqqani network launched an attack on the American embassy and Isaf headquarters which lasted 20 hours.In September, the Haqqani network launched an attack on the American embassy and Isaf headquarters which lasted 20 hours.
Vehicles burningVehicles burning
The attack happened near Darulaman Palace, the bombed-out seat of Afghanistan's former kings on the south-west outskirts of the capital.The attack happened near Darulaman Palace, the bombed-out seat of Afghanistan's former kings on the south-west outskirts of the capital.
The Taliban have been pushed back in the south of the country - their traditional heartland - where Isaf has made a lot of progress. But there are hot spots there and in the east of the country.The Taliban have been pushed back in the south of the country - their traditional heartland - where Isaf has made a lot of progress. But there are hot spots there and in the east of the country.
There has been a shift in the Taliban tactics - they are adaptable, in the way they match their attacks to a changed international mission.There has been a shift in the Taliban tactics - they are adaptable, in the way they match their attacks to a changed international mission.
Attacks on members of Isaf are down, but assassinations have dramatically risen by 60%, as have roadside bombs.Attacks on members of Isaf are down, but assassinations have dramatically risen by 60%, as have roadside bombs.
There has been some success in stopping attacks, but as Nato commanders say, "Militants have to be lucky only once, we have to be lucky every day."There has been some success in stopping attacks, but as Nato commanders say, "Militants have to be lucky only once, we have to be lucky every day."
The suicide attacker driving a red Toyota Corolla detonated the bomb just as the bus was passing at 11:20 (06:50 GMT). The armoured bus was blown over by the force of the explosion.The suicide attacker driving a red Toyota Corolla detonated the bomb just as the bus was passing at 11:20 (06:50 GMT). The armoured bus was blown over by the force of the explosion.
Nato helicopters were seen taking away casualties.Nato helicopters were seen taking away casualties.
"It was a very strong bomb," said one eyewitness, Gulam Saki."It was a very strong bomb," said one eyewitness, Gulam Saki.
Thick black smoke rose from the scene - and some distance away there were shattered windows and scattered pieces of twisted metal, suggesting the blast had been massive.Thick black smoke rose from the scene - and some distance away there were shattered windows and scattered pieces of twisted metal, suggesting the blast had been massive.
"A suicide car bomb attack was carried out on a bus of foreign forces in the Darulaman area of Kabul," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a text message to AFP news agency."A suicide car bomb attack was carried out on a bus of foreign forces in the Darulaman area of Kabul," Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said in a text message to AFP news agency.
It was the deadliest incident since the Taliban shot down a US helicopter in August, killing 30 US special forces.It was the deadliest incident since the Taliban shot down a US helicopter in August, killing 30 US special forces.
The Pentagon said all those killed were American, but Canada says one of its soldiers was among the dead.
Isaf commander Gen John R. Allen, said he was "saddened and outraged" at Saturday's attacks.Isaf commander Gen John R. Allen, said he was "saddened and outraged" at Saturday's attacks.
"The enemies of peace are not martyrs, but murderers," Gen Allen said."The enemies of peace are not martyrs, but murderers," Gen Allen said.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in today's attacks," Gen. Allen added. "Their sacrifices will be honored and the enemy will be held to account.""My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and injured in today's attacks," Gen. Allen added. "Their sacrifices will be honored and the enemy will be held to account."
There has been an increase in militant attacks across Afghanistan in recent months, despite the presence of more than 130,000 foreign troops.There has been an increase in militant attacks across Afghanistan in recent months, despite the presence of more than 130,000 foreign troops.
But this was a very significant attack, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul. It is rare for so many servicemen to die in a single incident, our correspondent says.But this was a very significant attack, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul. It is rare for so many servicemen to die in a single incident, our correspondent says.
On Thursday the Taliban said it was behind an attack on a compound housing Western officials and military personnel in the city of Kandahar. The attack was repelled after a lengthy battle.On Thursday the Taliban said it was behind an attack on a compound housing Western officials and military personnel in the city of Kandahar. The attack was repelled after a lengthy battle.
The US is planning to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and hand over security to local forces by 2014.The US is planning to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and hand over security to local forces by 2014.