Kabul Airport Attacked, U.S. President Joe Biden To Address Nation
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said: "We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can”. He added “We can confirm that explosion at Abbey Gate was 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 Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate”
Tragic reports came in this evening that the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, had been attacked by twin bomb blasts, leaving at least 13-60 dead according to various news reports. There was a third blast near the perimeter of the airport as well. The attack came after intelligence reports from the U.S. warned of such an attack and asked American nationals to stay away from the airport. The casualties at the airport include two Americans.
President Joe Biden is due to address the nation regrding the attack. It has brought renewed focus on the urgency required in evacuation efforts. With the Taliban refusal to extend the deadline, and first-hand reports to foreign media coming in about reprisals against Afghan collaborators, the pressure continues to increase for the U.S. administration.
The attack had been on the intelligence radar of U.S. and its allies, and occurd despite public warnings of the same. This could point towards a future of greater instability in the region.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said: "We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can”. He added “We can confirm that explosion at Abbey Gate was 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 Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate”
The Taliban has condemned the attack, saying that it occurred within an area under the control of U.S. forces. A United States official said that it is “definitely believed” that the Islamic State, or ISIS, is behind this atrocity. The group has claimed responsibility for the attack as well.
Commander of US Central Command, Marine Corps General Kenneth F McKenzie Jr. said that twelve U.S servicemen were killed and 15 injured in the attack. Despite the attack, he said, “we’re continuing the mission of evacuation”.
The Interpol Secretary General has also tweeted a condemnation of the attack on “vulnerable citizens, including children”. India’ Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar also briefed political leaders about the prevailing situation in Afghanistan and the evacuation measures being undertaken by India.
Photo by AFP
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The attack had been on the intelligence radar of U.S. and its allies, and occurd despite public warnings of the same. This could point towards a future of greater instability in the region.
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said: "We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can”. He added “We can confirm that explosion at Abbey Gate was 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 Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate”
The Taliban has condemned the attack, saying that it occurred within an area under the control of U.S. forces. A United States official said that it is “definitely believed” that the Islamic State, or ISIS, is behind this atrocity. The group has claimed responsibility for the attack as well.
Commander of US Central Command, Marine Corps General Kenneth F McKenzie Jr. said that twelve U.S servicemen were killed and 15 injured in the attack. Despite the attack, he said, “we’re continuing the mission of evacuation”.
The Interpol Secretary General has also tweeted a condemnation of the attack on “vulnerable citizens, including children”. India’ Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar also briefed political leaders about the prevailing situation in Afghanistan and the evacuation measures being undertaken by India.
Photo by AFP
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