More than 100 people have died in two explosions that hit crowds attempting to enter Kabul airport on Aug. 26, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
At least 90 Afghans and 13 U.S. military personnel were among those killed.
ISIS claims responsibility for the attack
The BBC reported that over 140 people were also wounded, with the Islamic State terror group (ISIS) claiming responsibility for the attack.
The Pentagon press secretary, John Kirby, said one of the blasts had taken place at the airport's Abbey Gate, while the other blast took place at a hotel nearby the airport.
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.
— Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Photos by Afghan media Tolo News showed casualties being transported from the scene in wheelbarrows and transferred to hospital.
Photos: Casualties from blast near Kabul airport this evening. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/ZnbQrKf2Yh
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 26, 2021
Video: Casualties from bombing attacks at the Kabul airport have been transferred to Emergency Hospital. Reuters quoted a Taliban official saying at least 13 people have been killed. The US Pentagon is reporting at least 2 blasts, one near Abbey Gate & the other near Baron Hotel. pic.twitter.com/vgs7pudEcA
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 26, 2021
U.S. and Taliban condemn attacks
Both the U.S. and the Taliban have condemned the attacks on the airport.
Speaking in the wake of the explosions, U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to retaliate against the perpetrators of the attacks, CNBC News reported.
He said, "To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," Biden said.
"Our mission will go on. America will not be intimidated."
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesmen Suhail Shaheen and Zabihullah Mujahid also condemned the attack in Pashto on Twitter, while highlighting that the incident had taken place in an area in which the U.S. was responsible for security.
#غبرګون:
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) August 26, 2021
اسلامي امارت د کابل په هوايي ډګر کې په ملکي خلکو چاودنه په کلکه غندي، یاده چاودنه په هغه سیمه کې ترسره شوې چې د امنيت مسئولیت يې د امريکايي ځواکونو په لاس کې دی.
اسلامي امارت د خپلو خلکو امنيت او ساتنې ته کلک متوجه دی، د شر غوښتونکو کړيو مخه به په کلکه سره ونيول شي.
غبرګون:
— Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) August 26, 2021
اسلامي امارت د کابل په هوايي ډګر کې په ملکي خلکو چاودنه په کلکه غندي، یاده چاودنه په هغه سیمه کې ترسره شوې چې د امنيت مسئولیت يې د امريکايي ځواکونو په لاس کې دی.
اسلامي امارت د خپلو خلکو امنيت او ساتنې ته کلک متوجه دی، د شر غوښتونکو کړيو مخه به په کلکه سره ونيول شي.
Shaheen was further quoted by Iranian media as stating that the Taliban would also seek to bring the culprits to justice, WSJ further reported.
Pentagon: U.S. coordinating with Taliban to address ISIS attacks
The commander of U.S. Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, added that the U.S. was coordinating with the Taliban to address further attacks by ISIS.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: "We’re doing everything we can to be prepared for those attacks. That includes reaching out to the Taliban who are actually providing the outer security cordon around the airfield and make sure they know what we expect them to do to protect us."
"The threat from Isis is extremely real, and we expect those attacks to continue" says Gen Kenneth McKenzie of US Central Command
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 26, 2021
He adds US is co-ordinating with Taliban and was "doing everything we can to prepare for these attacks"
Follow live updates: https://t.co/6ROvcnJ7t2 pic.twitter.com/OyQDpFAqex
McKenzie also said he did not believe the Taliban let the attack happen, Aljazeera reported.
https://mothership.sg/2021/08/singapore-condemns-kabul-airport-bombings/?f
Top collage left image from CNBC News YouTube, right image via Tolo News Twitter
If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates.