Six U.S. service members died in a suicide bombing near Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, marking the deadliest day for American troops in Afghanistan since May 2013.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter confirmed in a statement Monday night that six American troops were killed in the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack.
“As I saw firsthand during my visit to Afghanistan last Friday, our troops are working diligently alongside our Afghan partners to build a brighter future for the Afghan people. Their dedicated efforts will continue despite this tragic event,” Carter said.
Two non-U.S. NATO troops as well as one American contractor were also wounded in the attack.
The six Americans killed are the first U.S. combat deaths in Afghanistan this year and will make December the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since June 2014, according to Defense Department casualty data.
Taliban insurgents claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, saying their target was a joint Afghan-NATO security patrol.
“We’re deeply saddened by this loss,” U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wilson Shoffner, spokesman for coalition forces, said in a statement. “Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families and friends of those affected in this tragic incident, especially during this holiday season.”
The White House also offered its condolences to the families of those who were killed.
“The United States condemns this cowardly attack on members of the U.S. and Afghan forces, and we remain committed to supporting the Afghan people and their government,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.
Approximately 9,800 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan. Monday’s attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time, and is the deadliest single day for U.S. troops in Afghanistan since May 4, 2013, when seven U.S. service members died in Afghanistan. Two died from an insider attack and five from an improvised explosive device.
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., used the attack to call on the U.S. to continue providing support to Afghan troops in the fight against terrorism.
“The targeted attack against American troops is a grim reminder of the serious threat the Taliban continues to pose in the region at a time when ISIL is also receiving pledges of allegiance to their terror network from Afghans and former Taliban fighters. That’s why it is more important than ever that the U.S. continue to provide military support to Afghan forces working to combat our shared enemies,” he wrote in a statement.
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