August 27, 2021
On August 27, 2021, a suicide bomb attack at Kabul airport’s Abbey Gate coupled with an assault by gunmen was reported, another bomb attack at a hotel outside the airport followed, disrupting the final push of the U.S.-led evacuation effort, the officials confirmed.
According to sources, more than 100 people were killed, including at least 13 U.S. service members, 90 Afghans, and at least 28 members of the Taliban. Eighteen U.S. service members were injured, as per the Pentagon’s report.
The attack marked the deadliest day for the U.S. military in Afghanistan since 2011, and came just five days before the Biden administration’s deadline for the complete military withdrawal from the country. The military expects more attacks, Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie told reporters.
The attack was launched by Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), as it issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, the statement identified the bomber by name and referred to the Taliban as “apostates”.
McKenzie told US forces were coordinating with the Taliban to address the “extremely real” threat of attacks by ISKP.
President Biden also confirmed in a speech from the White House on Thursday that the bombings were carried out by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), ISIL’s affiliate in Afghanistan.
He emphasized that “to those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive; we will not forget.”
“We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests in our people with every measure at my command.”
Biden added that the US will continue the evacuations of American citizens and US allies despite the attack. “We will not be deterred by terrorists; we will not let them stop our mission. We will continue the evacuations,” he said.
