KABUL — Not less than 90 individuals, together with Afghan civilians and US troopers, had been killed after two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Kabul airport on Thursday.
Additionally, greater than 150 Afghans and 18 US troopers had been wounded within the airport assault, which was later claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group.
“A thirteenth US service member has died from his wounds suffered as a result of the attack on Abbey Gate,” Central Command spokesman Captain Invoice City stated in a press release.
Ten of these killed and a number of other wounded had been US Marines, Marine Corps spokesman Main Jim Stenger stated in a press release.
“We mourn the loss of these Marines and pray for their families,” Stenger stated.
Earlier on Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby stated in a tweet the primary explosion came about at Abbey Gate and “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,” Kirby added.
We are able to affirm that the explosion on the Abbey Gate was the results of a posh assault that resulted in numerous US & civilian casualties. We are able to additionally affirm not less than one different explosion at or close to the Baron Lodge, a brief distance from Abbey Gate. We are going to proceed to replace.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
The injured individuals had been shifted to hospital for remedy whereas the Taliban tightened safety on the airport.
The bombings got here hours after US and UK officers requested their residents to keep away from visiting the airport, citing an imminent risk from insurgents.
Gen. McKenzie: Presently, two suicide bombers, assessed to have been ISIS fighters, detonated within the neighborhood of the Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport and within the neighborhood of the Baron Lodge. #HKIA pic.twitter.com/NzLAhpVkCz
— Division of Protection ?? (@DeptofDefense) August 26, 2021
Common Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, stated US commanders had been on alert for extra assaults by Daesh, together with probably rockets or vehicle-borne bombs concentrating on the airport.
“We’re doing everything we can to be prepared,” he stated, including that some intelligence was being shared with the Taliban and that he believed “some attacks have been thwarted by them.”
Gen. McKenzie: ISIS is not going to deter us from undertaking the mission, I can guarantee you of that. pic.twitter.com/2sahi8gHGY
— Division of Protection ?? (@DeptofDefense) August 26, 2021
US forces are racing to finish their withdrawal from Afghanistan by an Aug. 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden, who stated he had ordered the Pentagon to plan how one can strike a Daesh affiliate that claimed the accountability.
“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” Biden stated throughout televised feedback from the White Home.
