ROME -- The Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack near the Italian embassy in Kabul on Sunday afternoon which wounded two Afghan guards.

 In a WhatsApp message received by ANSA from Islamabad, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid described "heavy human and material losses," whilst official reports mention only that two Afghan guards were taken to hospital for injuries but that their condition was not life-threatening.

 The Taliban's reclaiming of the assault, following a similar one on Twitter signed 'Habibullah Helal', references an attack against "foreign invaders," stating that "Italy is the Nation which supported the USA in the invasion of Afghanistan in which many Afghans were killed."

 A loud explosion, causing a fire and dense columns of smoke, came at 21.30 local time in the vicinity of the Italian Cooperation compound, not far from the Italian embassy, according to the head of the capital's criminal police unit.

 "A flare hit the Shash Darak Road, close to the Italian embassy, wounding at least one person. A second flare was prevented from exploding."

 Luciano Pezzotti, Italian ambassador in Kabul, said that "At the current moment we have no reason to believe that the attack was directed against us."

 The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until the US invasion in 2001, and continues to wage war within the country. In 2015 they declared jihad against ISIS.   ft