The Taliban launched an intense hours-long attack on a key US base. These aftermath photos show the heavy damage.

The assault began with a suicide bombing that targeted a medical facility under construction just outside the base, killing two Afghan civilians and wounding a few dozen others.

Advertisement

Taliban insurgents then took up position inside the medical facility and engaged US and Afghan forces in a firefight that reportedly lasted nine or ten hours.

Advertisement

US airstrikes were called in to eliminate Taliban targets that had barricaded themselves inside the hospital, which was being built to provide care for local Afghans.

No Taliban insurgents were able to breach the wire at the airfield. And, while there were some coalition injuries, there were no coalition deaths.

Advertisement

The Taliban control or hold significant influence in around half of the country. The US is currently engaged in talks with the insurgent force in hopes of securing a negotiated withdrawal from a war that has raged for nearly two decades.