Thu 26 August 2021:
A second explosion has occurred near Kabul airport, according to Russia’s Foreign Ministry. At least 13 individuals were killed and 15 more were injured in the twin suicide assaults, Associated Press reported.
Officials from the United States confirmed that American troops were injured in the blast, but did not elaborate. To discuss ongoing operations, they spoke on the condition of anonymity.
A Taliban official has told Al Jazeera that at least 11 people have been killed in the blast outside Kabul airport.
A journalist in Kabul has translated and sent this statement from the Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, saying the Americans had been told about a possible Isis attack on Kabul airport.
“The Taliban are committed to the international community and will not allow terrorists to use Afghanistan as a base for their operations. The Taliban have warned US troops about possible terrorist groups such as ISIS,” Mujahid said.
Pictures of the explosion minutes ago near Kabul Airport pic.twitter.com/Uw71JCMuIX
— Mahboob Rahman saee (@Mahboob_saee) August 26, 2021
The blasts happened outside the airport, where thousands of Afghans have gathered hoping to join a U.S.-led airlift after the Taliban takeover.
Earlier in the day, Western governments warned of a possible attack on the airport in the final days of a huge airlift. Suspicion for any attack aimed at the crowds would more certainly fall on the Islamic State, rather than the Taliban, who are stationed at the airport’s gates trying to keep the throng under control.
The Pentagon confirmed the blast, and Russian Foreign Ministry gave the official casualty count.
Several countries advised citizens to avoid the airport earlier in the day, with one claiming a suicide bomber threat. Few appeared to heed the appeal just days — or even hours — before the evacuation effort came to an end.
———————————————————————————————————————-
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
