WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of State condemned on Wednesday the "shameful" attack against Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi claimed by the Taliban.

"We unequivocally condemn the targeted attack" on the Afghan defense minister, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at a daily briefing.

A group of militants detonated a car bomb next to the house of the Afghan defense minister on Tuesday evening, triggering a five-hour gun battle and leaving 12 dead, including four attackers and eight civilians. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The security situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating as Taliban militants continue heavy fighting against government forces and gain ground since the drawdown of U.S. troops on May 1.

In his remarks to the parliament on Monday, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani blamed the withdrawal of U.S. troops for the worsening situation.

U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered the U.S. military to end its mission in Afghanistan by the end of this month. The U.S. Central Command said over 95 percent of the withdrawal had been completed. Enditem

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