On Thursday, two explosions occurred in Kabul, complicating evacuation operations only days before President Joe Biden’s deadline for all US troops to leave the country. Twelve U.S. service members were killed, while 15 were injured, according to U.S. officials. The Associated Press also reports that at least 60 Afghans were killed and over 140 injured.
Reports say two suicide bombers and gunmen attack crowds near the entrance to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, where thousands have gathered daily in an attempt to evacuate after the Taliban’s takeover. A second explosion also took place at the nearby Baron Hotel.
Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, said those responsible for the bombing were “assessed to have been ISIS fighters.”
A spokesperson for the Taliban condemned the “gruesome incident” and said the group “will take every step to bring the culprits to justice.” While McKenzie confirmed U.S. forces are “prepared to take action” against the assailants. “Twenty-four seven, we are looking for them,” he said.
Western officials previously warned of an attack and urged people to leave the airport. However, those warnings were ignored by Afghans desperately trying to escape the country.
Today’s attack marked one of the single deadliest days for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since the invasion 20 years ago.
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