Taliban kill 11 Afghan troops in assaults on military compounds, including former NATO base

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – An Afghan official says at least 11 Afghan soldiers have been killed in two separate attacks in southern Helmand province, including on a base once held by NATO forces.

The Taliban has been launching assaults since Thursday on the base, once known as Camp Bastion until the British handed it over last month. Camp Bastion also once held Camp Leatherneck, a U.S. Marine base in the volatile southern province.

Omar Zwak, spokesman for Helmand's provincial governor, says at least six soldiers and 20 Taliban fighters have been killed and 10 wounded in an attack Saturday on the base.

Also in Helmand, Zwak says suicide bombers have attacked another military base in Sangin district, killing five soldiers and wounding seven.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for both assaults.