WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says the United States will complete its evacuation of Americans and others from Kabul, despite the attack that killed at least 13 U.S. service members and many Afghan civilians.
The White House said Friday that another 12,500 people had been evacuated over the past 24 hours.
Biden vowed to avenge the deaths, saying the U.S. will hunt down the perpetrators.
Continuing the evacuation means Biden risks more deaths, but the alternative would be an early end to the pullout and leaving Americans behind.
As many as 1,000 Americans and many more Afghans are still struggling to get out.
Happening Now: President Biden delivers remarks on the terror attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and the U.S. service members and Afghan victims killed and wounded. https://t.co/cYjfucz0Fl
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 26, 2021
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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport, in the waning days of a massive airlift that has drawn thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Russian officials said at least 13 people were killed and 15 wounded.
A U.S. official said several Marines were killed and a number of other American military were wounded.
It was not clear if those deaths were included in the Russian toll.
A U.S. official said the complex attack was believed to have been carried out by the Islamic State group.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed the blasts, saying one was near an airport entrance and another was a short distance away by a hotel.
Statement on this morning’s attack at #HKIA: pic.twitter.com/Qb1DIAJQJU
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
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WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. official says the complex attack outside Kabul airport is “definitely believed” to have been carried out by the Islamic State group.
The official says members of the U.S. military were wounded in Thursday’s attack, which involved two suicide bombers and gunmen.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.
The Islamic State group is more radical than the Taliban and has carried out a wave of attacks targeting civilians.
The official says evacuation flights have continued to take off from Kabul airport in the waning days of an airlift to help people flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry says a second explosion has gone off outside Kabul airport.
The twin suicide attacks killed at least 13 people and wounded another 15.
U.S. officials said that American personnel were wounded in the blast, without elaborating.
They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing operations.
The blasts happened outside the airport, where thousands of Afghans have gathered hoping to join a U.S.-led airlift after the Taliban takeover.
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
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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Russian officials say a suicide attack outside Kabul’s airport has killed at least 2 people and wounded 15, Russian officials said.
Large crowds of people have massed outside the airport as they try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Western nations had warned earlier in the day of a possible attack at the airport in the waning days of a massive airlift.
Suspicion for any attack targeting the crowds would likely fall on the Islamic State group and not the Taliban, who have been deployed at the airport’s gates trying to control the mass of people.
The Pentagon confirmed the blast, and Russian Foreign Ministry gave the official casualty count.
We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan man says he saw several people who appeared to be killed or wounded in an explosion among crowds waiting outside one of the gates to Kabul airport.
Adam Khan says some people appeared to be missing body parts.
He says he was about 30 meters from Thursday’s blast.
The explosion occurred as Western nations are struggling to evacuate people following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Original Story
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An explosion has gone off outside the Kabul airport.
Thousands of people have flocked there as they try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.
Western nations had warned of a possible attack there in the waning days of a massive airlift.
The Pentagon confirmed the blast Thursday, with no immediate word on casualties.
Several countries urged people to avoid the airport earlier in the day, with one saying there was a threat of a suicide bombing.
But just days before the evacuation effort ends, few appeared to heed the call.
