At least sixty Afghans and twelve US servicemen have been killed in a suicide bombing carried out by ISIS at the Kabul airport, US officials confirmed Thursday night.
The terror group ISIS-K have claimed responsibility for the deadly double attack, the group’s Amaq News Agency said on its Telegram channel.
President Joe Biden, his voice breaking with emotion, vowed on Thursday the United States will hunt down the attackers of twin explosions at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan and said he has asked the Pentagon to develop plans to strike back at Islamist militants.
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“We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” he said in remarks at the White House.
“We will not be deterred by terrorists … We will continue the mission,” Biden said.
Biden said US evacuations would continue. He gave no indication of a change in next Tuesday’s US pullout target.
“I have also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities. We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose and the moment of our choosing,” Biden said.
The Taliban said it “warned the foreign forces the repercussions of the large gathering at Kabul airport,” a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office told Al Jazeera TV on Thursday.
The spokesman, Mohammad Naeem, said the gathering of a large number of people prevented adequate security measures from being taken.
CENTCOM Chief Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. said that while saddened by the deaths, the US will continue conducting evacuations from Kabul. “ISIS will not deter the US from carrying out the mission.”
He estimated that some 1,000 Americans are still in Afghanistan.
Furthermore, McKenzie expressed that he expects ISIS attacks to continue.
An emergency airport in Kabul has confirmed that approximately 60 people were wounded in the blast, and six died on the way to hospital.
A UK defense source confirmed there were two explosions at the airport, one next to the Baron Hotel, and the second by Abbey Gate. No UK military casualties were reported, according to an initial assessment.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby initially confirmed the blast at Abbey Gate outside the airport, and confirmed both explosions in a tweet.
We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Baron Hotel was used by Canadian and British military as collection point for Afghans approved for evacuation flights.
According to reports, guns were fired at one of the gates of the airport.
Just now: suicide attack the Kabul airport, and then gunfire at one of the gates.— Asaad Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) August 26, 2021
A source briefed on the situation has said that “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue.” US officials said on Thursday they were concerned that further attacks could occur at Kabul airport.
Unconfirmed reports of a third explosion on Thursday night further highlighted this concern.
NEW: Source briefed on the situation in Kabul tells me “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue”— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 26, 2021
Injured people arrive at a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan August 26, 2021. (credit: ASVAKA NEWS/via REUTERS)UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned on Thursday the terror attacks around Kabul airport in Afghanistan and expressed his support for both the injured and the families of those who have been killed.
Following reports of the blast, the UK Defense Ministry said they are working urgently on determining what has happened and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort, according to Reuters.
“We are working urgently to establish what has happened in Kabul and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort,” the Defense Ministry said on Twitter.
“Our primary concern remains the safety of our personnel, British citizens and the citizens of Afghanistan. We are in close contact with our US and other NATO allies at an operational level on the immediate response to this incident.
The UK Foreign Office advised against all travel to Afghanistan.
The United States and allies urged people to move away from Kabul airport on Thursday due to the threat of an Islamic State terror attack.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett commented on the suicide bombing on Thursday night as his meeting with President Joe Biden was delayed to Friday.
“On behalf of the people of Israel, I share our deep sadness over the loss of American lives in Kabul. Israel stands with the United States in these difficult times, just as America has always stood with us,” Bennett wrote on Twitter.
On behalf of the people of Israel, I share our deep sadness over the loss of American lives in Kabul.
Israel stands with the United States in these difficult times, just as America has always stood with us.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the United States.— Naftali Bennett בנט (@naftalibennett) August 26, 2021
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has also offered his prayers on Twitter, adding that “we stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorism.”
I am shocked and saddened by the horrific terror attack in Kabul.
The prayers of the people of Israel are with the families of the civilians and soldiers who were murdered today.
We stand shoulder to shoulder with the United States in the fight against terrorism.— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) August 26, 2021
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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