July 4, 2009 Soldiers celebrate 4th of July in Kabul Play video

(NECN/APTN: Kabul, Afghanistan) - U.S. troops at Camp Eggers in Kabul celebrated American Independence Day on Saturday.

The soldiers cut a cake dressed with glazing in the colors of the American flag, and said a prayer before tucking in.

"Every 4th of July for American soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and civilians this is a special day, when you can celebrate America's independence when you are in uniform serving your country. That is always special," said a U.S. commander, Major General Richard P. Formica.

The celebrations came as Taliban militants fired rockets and mortars at a U.S. coalition base in eastern Afghanistan, killing two American troops and wounding several more in a two-hour battle, officials said.

During the clash, which ended only after U.S. forces called in airstrikes, a suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden truck toward the base's gates. It blew up when American troops fired on it.

More than 30 insurgents were killed in the battle in Zerok district of Paktika province, said Hamidullah Zawak, the provincial governor spokesman.

Seven U.S. and two Afghan troops were wounded, a U.S. military spokesman said.

Material courtesy of APTN.