Armed gunmen in Kabul, Afghanistan, stormed a guesthouse and killed 14 people Wednesday, including a U.S. citizen, the Associated Press reported.
The Park Palace Hotel, which is popular with foreigners, was hosting a party Wednesday when the gunmen arrived, according to the Associated Press.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in which nine foreigners, including an American, a British citizen, an Italian, four Indian nationals and two Pakistanis were among those killed, the AP reported.
Afghanistan's president, Mohammad Ghani, condemned the Taliban's attack and said that the "terrorists and enemies of Afghanistan cannot harm our country's relationships with other countries with these activities."
Five of the victims were Afghans, the AP reported.
Six others were wounded, while authorities rescued at least 54 hostages.
A Taliban spokesman said the guesthouse was targeted because of the presence of foreigners. He claimed only one gunman attacked the hotel, but Afghan authorities said three to four armed gunmen were killed by security forces during an hours-long siege at the guesthouse.
The Park Palace hotel is located near the Holland Embassy, according to its Facebook page.
Just been told by my friends from Kabul that gunmen have entered Park Palace hotel. That's where I stayed on my first visit to Kabul!
The hotel's Facebook page describes it as an "Afghan Hospitality Home" with United Nations security clearance. According to the AP, it is located in a central neighborhood that includes U.N. compounds as well as a foreign-run hospital.
Police and special forces converged at the scene following the attack, an Afghan National Army commander told Reuters.
Roads were blocked by security personnel arriving after the shooting.
KabulUpdate: No gunfire for the past 15 minutes, only roads are blocked.
Policemen in #Kabul where gunmen have entered hotel used by foreigners. All quiet but Afghan spec forces here
KabulUpdate: civilians rescued by police from the guesthouse which attackers are believed to have entered