UK reports ‘high threat’ of terrorist attack at Kabul airport; U.S. urges people to stay away

August 26, 2021

LONDON — Officials from the U.K. have warned of a “highly credible” threat of an attack at Kabul airport by Islamic State militants.

It comes as a massive evacuation effort enters its final stages, with countries scrambling to get people out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan ahead of an Aug. 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden.

Some European countries have already begun to halt flights from Hamid Karzai International Airport.

The U.S. and other Western countries involved in the evacuation have urged people to stay away from the airport amid growing concerns about possible terrorist activity.

The U.K.’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey told Sky News Thursday that an “imminent, lethal attack” could be about to take place at Kabul airport.

“Intelligence over the course of the week has got ever more certain around the highly credible, imminent, lethal attack on the airport or the handling centers being used by western forces,” Heappey told Sky News.

The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, meanwhile, issued new guidance to warn of “an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attack.” It urged people not to travel to the airport and move away to a safe location to await further advice.

Late Wednesday, the U.S. embassy in Kabul urged U.S. citizens in Afghanistan to avoid traveling to the capital city’s airport, citing an unspecified security threat outside the gates.

“Because of security threats outside the gates of Kabul airport, we are advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and to avoid airport gates at this time unless you receive individual instructions from a U.S. government representative to do so,” the security alert said.

“U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately,” it added.

The U.S. embassy in Kabul advised Americans to be aware of their surroundings at all times, follow the instructions of local authorities, have a contingency plan for emergencies and monitor local media and the State Department for developments.