Blast in Afghanistan kills at least 16, wounded scores

A bomb attack was carried out in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, earlier last night.

At least 16 people were killed and more than 100 were wounded in the attack.

International organizations aid agencies said the attack near the US and UK embassies was carried out with a tractor loaded with explosives.

Clashes erupted between Afghan forces and the attackers after the attack while 5 attackers were killed.

Hundreds of foreign nationals have been evacuated from the area.

A statement by Taliban spokesman Zebihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the attack was staged in retaliation for U.S. attacks on civilians in the country

The attack happened at a time when peace talks between the United States and the Taliban were nearing an end.

The two sides have come close to an agreement in the ongoing peace talks in Qatar. The US Special Representative to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, said Monday that the U.S. would withdraw 5,400 troops from Afghanistan within 125 days.

Khalilzad was also in the capital Kabul at the time of the Taliban attack. (ILKHA)