Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Thursday morning confirmed two explosions in Kabul — one outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport and another near the Baron Hotel, with a “number” of U.S. and civilian casualties.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” he posted on Twitter.
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
He later followed up with another tweet confirming U.S. casualties and at least one other explosion:
We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
The State Department Operations Center reportedly suggested there were “four or more” U.S. service members injured or killed in the explosion.”
The State Department Ops Center issued an alert to staff stating: "Initial reports suggest four or more U.S. service personnel may have been injured or killed in the explosion at HKIA." Attack occurred at 17:11 local time and is "believed to have been a suicide vest attack"
— Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) August 26, 2021
Fox News reported at least three American military members injured in the attack. The attack also reportedly prompted rapid gunfire exchanges.
Journalists from the region have begun sharing images allegedly of the immediate aftermath of the explosion. Local reports indicate the explosion occurred in a densely populated part of the airport, potentially causing a large number of casualties.
The moment when the explosion occurred at #Kabul airport. pic.twitter.com/m6uB22Yg7p
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
The Afghan broadcaster 1TV News published photos of civilians using wheelbarrows to tend to the injured and people fleeing the scene covered in blood.
In Pictures: People injured in explosion near Kabul airport pic.twitter.com/WQ8sdjvODG
— 1TVNewsAF (@1TVNewsAF) August 26, 2021
There are more than 5,000 U.S. troops at the airport conducting a “non-combatant evacuation operation,” launched after the Taliban took over the capital on August 14, faster than the Biden administration expected and ahead of President Joe Biden’s announced troop withdrawal date on August 31.
The evacuation operation is scheduled to wrap up on August 31, although there are at least approximately 1,500 American citizens believed to be still in Afghanistan, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Story cited here.