12 U.S. service members were killed, 15 wounded in attack near Kabul airport, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon on Thursday confirmed that 12 U.S. service members have been killed and 15 wounded after two suicide bombers detonated explosives near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, said that a number of Afghan civilians were also killed but was not able to provide a precise number.

The explosions took place near the airport’s Abbey Gate and the Baron Hotel immediately adjacent, McKenzie said. Several gunmen opened fire on civilians and military forces after the explosion at Abbey Gate, he said.

The general, who oversees the U.S. military’s operations in the region, said that the Pentagon is working to determine attribution for the attack, but added that the current assessment is that the bombers are affiliated with ISIS.

ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack.

McKenzie said that the U.S. is still monitoring “extremely active threats” to the airport that range from suicide bombers to rocket attacks. McKenzie said that despite the attack, the U.S. emergency evacuation mission continues.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed his condolences in a statement Thursday and condemned the attack that “took their lives at the very moment these troops were trying to save the lives of others.”

“We will not be dissuaded from the task at hand. To do anything less — especially now — would dishonor the purpose and sacrifice these men and women have rendered our country and the people of Afghanistan,” Austin added.

About 5,400 U.S. servicemembers are assisting with evacuation efforts in Kabul. The British have about 1,000 troops assisting with the evacuation. The U.K. Ministry of Defense said there were no reported casualties among its government and military personnel in Kabul after the attack.

President Joe Biden will address the nation on the attacks at 5:00 p.m. ET.

“The president met with his national security team Thursday morning, including Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley as well as commanders on the ground in Kabul,” the White House said in a statement.

“He will continue to be briefed on updates on the evolving situation throughout the day,” the statement added.

Article source: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/26/explosion-happened-outside-kabul-airport-pentagon-confirms.html