Reporting from Kabul, Afghanistan - A car bomb blew up Tuesday at the gates of a U.S. military base on the outskirts of Kabul, and Afghan officials said at least half a dozen people were hurt. The Taliban claimed responsibility.The attack, the second major strike in Afghanistan's capital in just over a week, appeared intended as a reminder of the insurgency's strength in advance of a major international conference on the country's security.President Hamid Karzai is to meet in London on Thursday with senior representatives of countries contributing troops and aid to Afghanistan, with the aim of bolstering support for the war effort and his beleaguered government. He also is expected to voice support for trying to bring the Taliban into the political process and persuading foot soldiers to lay down their arms in exchange for jobs and other incentives.Tuesday's attack took place just outside an installation known as Camp Phoenix, used mainly by U.S. troops who are helping to train Afghan security forces. Building up the nation's army and police force is considered a cornerstone of the West's eventual exit strategy, though military officials acknowledge that it will be a difficult undertaking.Camp Phoenix, on the main road leading out of Kabul toward the eastern city of Jalalabad, is a frequent target of insurgent attacks, in part because it is close to a main roadway, and suicide bombers often try to strike convoys that are arriving or leaving. Such an attack in mid-November injured about two dozen people, nine of them Western troops.U.S. and other Western military officials did not immediately disclose whether any troops were among those wounded in Tuesday's attack, which came during evening rush hour. Afghan officials reported that at least six people were; all or most of the injured were believed to be civilians.The latest bombing came eight days after insurgents paralyzed the capital with an hours-long assault on government buildings and other targets in the city center. Seven attackers were killed, and although the toll was relatively low -- five other deaths -- the insurgents' demonstrated ability to infiltrate heavily guarded parts of Kabul was a major symbolic blow to the Karzai government and added to a growing sense of insecurity felt by many city residents.On Tuesday, Afghan intelligence officials provided the most detailed information yet about the Jan. 18 attack in the capital.At a news conference, they showed a video of an Afghan man arrested last week on suspicion of helping to carry out the attack.In it, the man, identified as Kamaluddin, said he received his orders from the Haqqani network, a virulent militant organization whose leadership is based in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area. Speaking in calm, measured tones, he said he housed the seven attackers before the strike, providing them with suicide vests and other weapons.
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A car bomb exploded today at the gates of a U.S. military base, just outside the Afghan capital of Kabul. According to officials, at least twelve people received injuries. The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident occurred just outside an US installation dubbed "". This is mainly used by American troops which train Afghan security forces.

Camp Phoenix is often attacked by insurgents, particularly suicide bombers. In mid-November, an attack in Camp Phoenix, injured 25 people, half of them American soldiers.

The Taliban was the group that claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesperson for the bombers, , claimed in a telephone interview that the bomber had allegedly "killed and wounded" ten American soldiers and demolished three military vehicles.

Asked about that claim, an American military spokeswoman, Air Force Master Sgt. Sabrina D. Foster, said that a statement would be issued soon but that in the meantime she could confirm only eight United States personnel with minor wounds. According to Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman, three of those injured were American interpreters.

Sayed Abdul Ghafar, head of the criminal investigation, Kabul police, said the explosion demolished at least eleven civilian vehicles in the adjoining area. Eight were wounded, most of whom were day laborers who generally would be leaving the base after a day's work. All were reported to be stable by Interior Ministry spokesman, Zemary Bashary.

"The target of the suicide attacker seemed to be foreign forces, but we couldn’t see any American vehicle damaged there because the road was blocked by American forces. We don’t know exactly the casualties among the foreign forces," said Ghafar.

The American troops soon blocked the area, and barred access to the highway. "They won’t even let the Afghan National Police near it," said an Afghan policeman near the place where the attack occurred.

It was the first suicide bombing in Kabul since January 18. In the previous attack, several bombs had been detonated by the attackers, who also fought with Afghan commandos. The situation was brought under control soon; however five people were killed. Earlier today, Afghan intelligence officials provided another statement about this attack; this statement is probably the one with most details.

During a news conference, they showed a video which was about an Afghan man arrested for allegedly assisting in the attack. In the video, the man, named Kamaluddin, claimed that he received his orders from the . The latter is a militant organization based in Pakistan's  tribal area. He calmly clarified that he had housed the seven attackers before the attack and had provided them with several weapons.