Two Explosion outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan
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Two Explosion outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
Two Explosion outside Kabul airport in Afghanistan, Pentagon confirms
On this day Washington — At least two explosions near the Afghanistan main airport in Kabul resulted in “a number of US & civilian casualties” on Thursday, the Pentagon said, the worst-case scenario for U.S. efforts to evacuate Americans and Afghan allies from Afghanistan ahead of President Biden’s August 31 deadline to withdraw.
“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,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Twitter. “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.”
Three sources told CBS News a suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion at Abbey Gate. A White House official told CBS News that Mr. Biden was being briefed on the situation.
As the U.S. rushes to evacuate U.S. citizens and Afghans who helped American troops during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, as well as those at risk from the Taliban, out of Kabul, Mr. Biden has warned of growing risk to American and allied forces on the ground with each day that passes.
The U.S. and Britain warned citizens not to go to Kabul’s airport because of a terror threat outside the facility’s gates. On Wednesday evening, the U.S. Embassy in the capital alerted U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and said those at three different gates “should leave immediately.”
Mr. Biden spoke earlier this week of an ongoing threat posed by the ISIS affiliate in Afghanistan, ISIS Khorasan, or ISIS-K. (CBSNEWS)
BREAKING: The U.S Pentagon Press Secretary has confirmed there has been an explosion outside Kabul's airport.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 26, 2021
Casualties are unclear at this time.
More on this: https://t.co/4xj83cbiNm pic.twitter.com/kUcrDBT2mJ
At least 10 killed and dozen wounded in the recent #Kabul airport explosion – Local Media
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
