Taliban strike US Bagram Air Base
Sun Jan 1, 2012 8:16PM GMT
The Taliban militants say they have struck the US Bagram Air Base in the north of the Afghan capital Kabul with nine missiles in an attack, which left many casualties.
Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they have fired 9 long-range missiles on the strategic base, killing dozens of soldiers.
Afghan officials have confirmed the attacks, but ruled out any fatalities.
The latest attacks come as the Obama administration is trying to reach some kind of a cease-fire agreement with the Taliban. Press TV
One goal of renewed talks with the militants would be to identify cease-fire zones that could be used as a steppingstone toward a full peace agreement.
The trust-building measures under discussion involve a would-be Taliban headquarters office and the release from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, of about five Afghan prisoners considered affiliated with the Taliban.
Those steps were to be matched by assurances from at least part of the Taliban leadership that the militants would cut ties with al-Qaeda, accept the elected civilian government of Afghanistan and bargain in good faith. AP
IM/KK