Taliban claim attack on Kabul guesthouse that killed 5 people, including an American

Afghan security forces inspect the site of the Park Palace Hotel attacked by gunmen, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, May 14, 2015. Gunmen stormed the guesthouse on Wednesday night as it hosted a party for foreigners. An hourslong siege ended early Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) (The Associated Press)

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Afghan police officers stand guard near the Park Place Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, May 13, 2015. Gunmen stormed the guesthouse on Wednesday night as it hosted a party for foreigners. An hourslong siege ended early Thursday morning. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) (The Associated Press)

Afghan security forces inspect the site of a Park Palace Hotel attack by Taliban militants, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, May 13, 2015. Gunmen have stormed a guesthouse in the Afghan capital used by both foreigners and locals, sparking a gun battle with police The attackers targeted Kabul's Park Palace Hotel on Wednesday night Kabul police chief Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahimi says the gunmen were still shooting at his officers. (AP Photo/Allauddin Khan) (The Associated Press)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Taliban have claimed a late night attack on a Kabul guesthouse that killed five people, including an American, and wounded at least six.

Gunmen had stormed the restaurant of the Park Palace Hotel in the Afghan capital as it was hosting a party for foreigners, and authorities said the five were killed during an hours-long siege that ended early Thursday morning. Six people were wounded and 54 hostages rescued.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in an email distributed to media said the group targeted the hotel because of the presence of foreigners, including Americans there.

In the claim, he says only one attacker was involved, armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, a suicide vest and a pistol — not three as the Afghan government reported.

The Taliban often exaggerate their claims.