Attacks on army, police and U.S. special forces kill 50 in Kabul

An Afghan man stands outside his damaged shop near the site of an attack after a overnight battle outside a base in Kabul, Afghanistan August 8, 2015. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KABUL (Reuters) - A wave of attacks on the Afghan army and police and U.S. special forces in Kabul have killed at least 50 people and wounded hundreds, dimming hopes that the Taliban might be weakened by a leadership struggle after their longtime leader's death.

The bloodshed began on Friday with a truck bomb that exploded in a heavily populated district and included an hours-long battle at a base used by U.S. special forces. It became the deadliest day in Kabul for years.