Reuters reports Camp Bastion came under attack from rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and small arms fire, after terrorists were able to breach the perimeter of the base.
Several NATO countries have troops stationed at Camp Bastion and the Friday night attack was aimed at Camp Leatherneck, the US compound.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf
says, "The aim of this attack was revenge against Americans for the anti-Prophet movie." And the Taliban is threatening "further retaliation across Afghanistan " for the "insult towards the beloved Prophet of Islam".
A NATO official tells
Reuters, that Prince Harry was on the base at the time of the attack but wasn't hurt. Marty Crighton, spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says, "Prince Harry was never in any danger."
Two US marines died, and several other American troops were wounded in the assault that was launched at about 10pm local time, under the cover of darkness.
RTE reports a spokesman for the governor's office in the volatile Helmand province says 17 bodies were recovered after the attack, and all are believed to have been insurgents.
BBC reports that the incident raises serious concerns that terrorists were able to stage such a brazen surprise attack on the heavily fortified base.
The assault is just one of an increasing number of violent
attacks aimed at American targets over the anti-Islamic film "Innocence of Muslims."
