Major US airbase in Afghanistan comes under attack

“Five rockets were fired at Bagram airfield early this morning,” the NATO-led mission, Resolute Support, said in a post on Twitter on Thursday, referring to the main US airbase in the north of the Afghan capital, Kabul. “There were no casualties.”

Five rockets were fired at Bagram airfield early this morning. There were no casualties or injuries. Our #ANDSF partners are investigating the incident.— Resolute Support (@ResoluteSupport) April 9, 2020

Afghan media reports said the rockets targeting the US military compound had been fired from a vehicle parked in an adjoining village.

The Takfiri terrorist group of Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on social media and said its members had targeted a helicopter landing pad at Bagram.

The terror outfit, which has based itself mainly in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar Province, has an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 militants and has been behind a string of horrific bombing and other attacks since its emergence in the country in 2015.

The assault came after the Afghan government released 100 Taliban inmates from a jail near the Bagram airfield as part of a peace deal between the US and the militant group.

In attempt to save peace talks, Afghan govt. frees 100 Taliban prisoners Talks on a prisoner swap have been continuing since last week.

The base has been hit several times since the deal was signed last month. Some 100 Taliban members are also scheduled to be freed on Thursday from detention at a jail near the base.

The government and the Taliban militant group had been discussing a prisoner exchange. While the Taliban walked away from the negotiations on Wednesday, Kabul has been releasing the prisoners in an attempt to save intra-Afghan dialog.