WASHINGTON — A new threat of vehicle-borne improvised IED (VBIED) arose at the North Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, said an official inside the airport complex.
The development comes following a complex Improvised explosive device (IED) attack at Abbey gate earlier on Aug. 26, in which at least four US Marines lost their lives, and 3 people were injured.
Four US Marines are among the 35 people who were reportedly killed in twin bomb blasts outside Kabul airport on Aug. 26. The first blast was reported at the Abbey Gate in Kabul airport, while the second one was near the Baron Hotel.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed the development saying that “a number of U.S. service members” were killed in today’s complex attack at Kabul airport.
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy has issued a fresh warning in Kabul.
“Event: EXPLOSION AT THE ABBEY GATE OF KABUL, AIRPORT, REPORTS OF GUNFIRE.”
There has been a large explosion at the airport, and there are reports of gunfire. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates at this time.” read the statement,
The U.S. citizens at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate were advised to leave immediately. They were asked to stay aware of the surroundings at all times, especially in large crowds.
The statement also asked them to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the terror attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport and expressed his support for the blast victims.
Back in Washington, US President Joe Biden met with top officials of his administration on Thursday as two explosions were reported in Kabul amid evacuations that reportedly killed at least 35 and injured over 70, including three U.S. troops.
Biden met his national security team on Aug.27, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Mark Milley, and commanders on the ground.
“We also grieve the loss of Afghans gathered near the airport hoping for a chance to start a new life elsewhere,” said Blinken in a statement.
“And we honor the more than 2,300 U.S. service members who have died in Afghanistan since 2001, the more than 20,000 who have been wounded, and the more than 800,000 who have served in America’s longest war, as well as other Americans killed or wounded in the conflict.”
Due to the Kabul explosions, Biden’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has been delayed.
In recent days, Kabul airport has witnessed chaotic scenes as people are reaching the airport in a hurry to escape from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the Taliban has condemned the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport after reports suggested that an ISIS suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion outside the Kabul airport.
(With inputs from ANI)
Edited by Saptak Datta and Ritaban Misra
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