At least two explosions have been reported to have rocked the Hamid Karzai International Airport in the capital city of Kabul, Afghanistan, killing and wounding many Americans and Afghans who were attempting to get out of the nation and causing chaos in what was already a frantic situation as the United States continues the evacuation.
The Pentagon has confirmed the initial explosion, which was reportedly because of a suicide bomber.
At least three United States Marines were reported wounded, but it is not clear how severely. Other non-military Americans were also wounded, according to reports online.
13 killed.
Including children.
3 Marines injured INSIDE the wire.
Possibly ISIS terrorists. https://t.co/AhmhtVSpaJ
— Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) August 26, 2021
The WSJ is saying that this afternoon, four United States Marines were killed and three were wounded in the explosions outside the airport.
“We can confirm the explosion outside the airport. Casualties are not certain at this time. We will give more details when we are able,” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said in a tweet.
Kabul Emergency hospital:
🔴 More than 30 patients have arrived at our #Kabul Surgical Centre so far. 6 others already dead on arrival. We have activated all mass casualty protocols. #Kabulairport #Afghanistan— Ziar Khan Yaad (@ziaryaad) August 26, 2021
One United States official reported that the attacks also started a firefight near Abbey Gate, where there were around 5,000 Afghanis and maybe some Americans looking for entrance to the airport last night.
“Tens of thousands of people were evacuated by the U.S. military and allies from the airport in the last two weeks. These evacuations will start winding down in the next three days, before the August 31 deadline for a final exit from the country,” CNN said.
Witness accounts published to social media confirmed United States casualties, while some also mentioned that American troops fired back.
BREAKING — Our sources describe absolute mayhem right now at HKIA.
-Several U.S. casualties
-U.S. troops returned fire after first explosion
-NATO troops ordered to leave airport gates immediatelyw/ @laraseligman @alexbward https://t.co/reOrg85oQQ
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) August 26, 2021
The bombing comes after the State Dept. warned hours earlier that Americans close to the gates of the airport should “leave promptly” over reports of greater threats of terrorism, said reports.
President Biden has reportedly been briefed about the bombing, Fox News stated.
Others reported that attacks are anticipated to keep going and that the terror group known as ISIS-K might be connected.
NEW: Source briefed on the situation in Kabul tells me “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue”
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 26, 2021
Fox News confirmed some moments later that there was another explosion close to the airport.
Earlier, President Biden said he would not be pushing back the August 31 evacuation date in part due to increasing threats of terrorism.
“Every day we are on the ground is another day we understand that ISIS-K is trying to target the airport and attack both United States forces and innocent civilians,” Biden said.
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
While the Taliban was planning a suicide bomb attack on our troops, which resulted in likely dozens of deaths, the White House was focused on attacking Ron DeSantis.
You can't make this stuff up. https://t.co/oXKYn12hDx
— Caleb Hull (@CalebJHull) August 26, 2021
Author: Scott Dowdy
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