Washington/Kabul:Several civilians, including four US Marine commandos, are reported to havebeen killed in two consecutive explosions at Kabul airport on Thursday evening.US officials have said that the second blast was aimed at US Army soldiers. ThePentagon said there had been another explosion targeting US troops at or nearthe Baron Hotel near Kabul airport. There have been many American soldiers andcivilian casualties.
US soldiers' death toll 'statistic' notconfirmed
The USDefense Ministry has not yet officially confirmed the death toll of Americansoldiers. The latest press release said that a number of American soldiers werekilled in the explosion at Kabul airport. On the other hand, President JoeBiden has warned several times that if American citizens are attacked, he willgive an immediate and strong military response.
US Defense Ministry confirmed
USDefense Department Pentagon spokesman John Kirby tweeted: "We can confirmthat the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack thatresulted in multiple American and civilian casualties." We can confirm atleast one other explosion at or near the Barron Hotel, a short walk from theAbbey Gate. We will continue to update.
Joe Biden enters the situation room
JoeBiden is immediately monitoring every development from the Situation Room afterthe attack on American soldiers at Kabul Airport. He is accompanied by USDefense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Accordingto a senior administration official, Biden was in the situation room with hisnational security team for his daily Afghanistan briefing when the blast wasreported.
Biden is keeping a close eye on theincident
ABiden administration official said the president and his top aides remained inthe situation room two hours after the incident. Here they are being informedabout the ground situation at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan. President Biden isbeing briefed about that as we get inputs.
Biden had given alert of attack 3 times insix days
USPresident Joe Biden himself had warned of an attack on Kabul airport at leastthree times. On August 20, he had said that we are also keeping a close watchon any possible terrorist threat in or near the airport. This includes ISISallies in Afghanistan who have been released after breaking into prisons.On22 August also he had said that we are on constant vigil to monitor andintercept threats from any source. On August 24, Biden also said that thelonger we stay, the greater the risk of an attack by a terrorist group calledISIS.
What will Biden do now?
It isbelieved that Joe Biden may approve a small military action against the attackon his soldiers. This could also include attacking the Taliban in Afghanistanbased on input from the Taliban and other US intelligence agencies. There isalso a possibility that the evacuation process from Kabul airport may be put onhold for a few days. Flights can be resumed after the situation becomes normal.Biden's team will also contact the Taliban and can review the situation on theground.