Despite significant increases in foreign troops, violence in Afghanistan last year reached its worst levels since the war began in 2001.  The latest attack occurred a week ago after brazen assaults in Kabul killed five people.  The bomb struck on a road leading from the city center near the main entrance to Camp Phoenix, a base used by U.S. forces.

Abdulghaffar Sayedzadah, a spokesman for Kabul’s criminal investigation unit, said six Afghan civilians and eight American soldiers were wounded.  Mr. Sayedzadah said most of the civilians had been working nearby, but could not confirm if the base was the intended target of the attacker.  U.S. and NATO forces said they investigated the explosion outside of the main gates, and initial reports indicated the cause of the explosion was a car bomb.  NATO’s international security assistance force (ISAF) said “Initial reports indicate the cause of the explosion was a vehicle-borne IED,” referring to an improvised explosive device in a car.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a man claiming to be a Taliban spokesman, said in a text message the attacker was a member of the Islamist group.  He said the target had been a convoy of foreign troops.

The attack comes on the same day Afghan officials said an attack in Kabul on January 18 was carried out by fighters smuggled from Pakistan.  Officials released video footage of a man arrested in connection with the attacks who stated that the Haqqani network, a group of Afghan fighters based in Pakistan, were behind the attacks on civilian and government buildings near the presidential palace.

These attacks, said to be the most co-ordinated offensive on the capital since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, took place while President Hamid Karzai was swearing in some of his cabinet members.

At least five were killed and about 38 wounded in the protracted gun battles that followed.

For more information, please see:

Aljazeera.net- Suicide Attack Hits Afghan Capital– 26 January 2010

Reuters- Suicide Car Bomb Near US Base In Kabul Wounds 6– 26 January 2010

Forbes.Com- Blast Near US Military Base In Afghan Capital– 26 January 2010