Taliban Attack U.S. - Afghan Military Base In Helmand Province, Sparking Gunbattle

Afghan forces repelled a Taliban attack at deadly cost after the militants assaulted a large military base in the southern province of Helmand late on February 28.

Afghan officials said on March 1 that at least 25 Afghan soldiers were killed in the gunbattle. At least nine Taliban militants were also reported killed, including three suicide bombers.

Clean-up operations were still under way at Camp Shorab, a strategic military installation that has been attacked by militants three times in the last 48 hours.

A U.S. military-assistance mission operates from the base, but no foreign troops were involved in the incident, Afghan officials said.

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