KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Taliban suicide bombers penetrated a key government military base in southern Afghanistan on Friday, in a major attack that inflicted heavy casualties on the eve of the latest round of Afghan peace talks, local authorities said.

The early-morning assault came as American and Taliban negotiators prepared to resume peace talks in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday after a two-day break.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense reported at least 23 members of the Afghan security forces were killed and 16 were wounded during an hourslong siege of Camp Shorab military compound in Helmand Province. Eight suicide bombers and numerous other attackers were involved, it said.

Mirza Hussain Alizada, a member of the Helmand provincial council, put the death toll higher, saying up to 40 Afghan soldiers were killed.