Afghan militants have unsuccessfully attempted to shoot a plane carrying the US defence secretary, James Mattis, during an attack on Kabul airport. The south end of Camp Sullivan, a US embassy compound near the international airport, was hit by what appeared to be rocket-propelled grenades or mortars.

Mattis, who was visiting Kabul with the Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, had arrived before the attack took place and there was no indication he was in danger at any point. A weapons depot caught fire during the assault, triggering explosions. Additional attackers fired small arms at three military entrances to the airport. At least five civilians were wounded, officials said. Two US and one Afghan military aircraft were reportedly damaged, along with a civilian plane. In a statement, the Taliban claimed responsibility, saying it had targeted Mattis’s plane. Islamic State later issued a competing claim of responsibility.  Mattis and Stoltenberg were in Kabul on Wednesday to meet Afghan officials and discuss strategy for a war to which Donald Trump has tied the US for an indefinite period.(Theguardian)…[+]