2 U.S. Marines die in 'sustained attack' on Afghan base

Two U.S. service members were killed early Saturday during a "sustained attack" at a joint base in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, military officials said. The slain Americans were both Marines, a U.S. defense official said, while three or four troops were wounded. The Taliban claimed responsibility. Between 16 and 20 insurgents were killed, said Jamie Graybeal, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force. Attackers used a combination of small firearms and rocket-propelled grenades in their attack, according to the official. They may have breached the "outer perimeter" of the base -- which includes the American-run Camp Leatherneck and the British-run Camp Bastion -- added the official. Maj. Martin Crighton, a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force, said the base came under indirect fire. He said there were no organized demonstrations outside its gates -- as have sprung up worldwide in recent days, targeting U.S. authorities following the release of a privately produced anti-Islam video -- prior to the attack. A Taliban spokesman said the attack was in response to the film. The situation was under control early Sunday and security patrols were assessing damage, said the U.S. defense official. A week ago Friday, Prince Harry -- an Apache helicopter pilot in the British military -- arrived in Afghanistan to begin his four-month deployment, Britain's Ministry of Defence said. He was to be based at Camp Bastion, which is in what is considered the Taliban heartland, with the 100-strong 662 Squadron, 3 Regiment Army Air Corps. Harry, the grandson of Queen Elizabeth II and third in line to the British throne, is a captain in Britain's Army Air Corps. The prince "was in no way in any danger" during the latest attack, Crighton said.