KABUL, September 17, SPA -- A suicide car bomb hit vehicles carrying foreign troops near the U.S. Embassy and an Americanmilitary base in Afghanistan's capital Thursday, killing atleast 10 people and wounding dozens, officials said. The suicide bomber rammed his explosives-filled car intotwo vehicles of the NATO-backed international force, saidAbdul Ghafar Sayedzada, head of Kabul's criminalinvestigations unit. The blast occurred shortly after noon and smoke could beseen rising from the site soon after. An Associated Pressreporter saw two bodies on the ground, both burned andlater covered with plastic sheets. At least six vehicles were burned, including at least oneHumvee with an Italian flag painted on the side. Sirensrang through the area as emergency vehicles arrived. In Rome, the Italian Defense Ministry said at least sixpeople had died in the attack, but the number of Italianswas unclear. Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad ZahirAzimi said at least 10 Afghan civilians were killed and 52wounded. Sayedzada said foreign forces also were killed buthe did not know how many. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibilityfor the bombing, saying in a text message that an insurgenthad carried out a suicide attack against foreign forces. U.S. military spokeswoman Capt. Elizabeth Mathias saidthey were aware of the blast but did not have moreinformation. NATO forces also said they did not havefurther information.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/700966