Kabul airport bomb attacks leave over 100 dead, including 13 US military personnel

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Matthias Ang | August 27, 2021, 11:47 AM

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.

Photos by Afghan media Tolo News showed casualties being transported from the scene in wheelbarrows and transferred to hospital.


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.


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."

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