Suicide bomb kills six Afghan soldiers

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A suicide bomber targeted a bus carrying Afghan troops Thursday morning, killing at least five soldiers.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said 12 others, including civilians, were injured in the attack.

The suicide bomber approached the vehicle on foot on the outskirts of Kabul, the first suicide attack in the capital in more than a week.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack. The organization has stepped up attacks in Afghanistan in recent weeks as foreign troops prepare to withdraw from the country.