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US President Joe Biden promised to retaliate against the Islamic State’s (ISIS) affiliates in Afghanistan Deadly suicide bombing Outside the Kabul airport on Thursday, he warned that the situation on the ground continues to be “extremely dangerous” and that another attack is “very likely” in the next few hours.
“This strike is not the last. We will continue to hunt down anyone involved in that heinous attack and make them pay,” Biden said in a statement on Saturday.
“Our commander told me that an attack is very likely within the next 24 to 36 hours. I instructed them to take all possible measures to prioritize force protection.”
The suicide bombing at Kabul Airport on Thursday-claimed by the Islamic State in ISKP (ISIS-K) in Khorasan Province-caused at least 175 deaths, including 13 American soldiers.
The Pentagon said earlier on Saturday that a US airstrike in Afghanistan killed two high-profile ISKP targets and injured another person.
Major General Hank Taylor said at a press conference that no civilians were injured in the US attack earlier on Saturday.
The Pentagon refused to disclose whether the target person in the US attack was directly involved in the suicide bombing.
“They are the planners and promoters of ISIS-K. That alone is enough,” said spokesperson John Kirby. “The fact that two of them no longer walk on the surface of the earth is a good thing.”
The Taliban condemned the U.S. drone attack on ISKP members, and a spokesperson called the operation a “clear attack on the territory of Afghanistan.”
Zabihullah Mujahid also told Reuters on Saturday that once the U.S. forces withdraw, the Taliban are expected to take full control of the Kabul Airport soon and will announce the formation of the cabinet in the next few days.
Thursday’s bombing hit groups of Afghans who gathered outside the airport hoping to flee the airport Taliban take over AfghanistanAs the crazy American evacuation operation approaches the deadline for completion on Tuesday, a fatal new chapter has begun dramatically.
Over 5,000 people stayed at Kabul Airport on Saturday waiting to be evacuated.
As the Taliban blocked the road to the airport and only allowed sanctioned buses to pass, thousands of people around the airport no longer wanted to be allowed to pass and board the plane.
“We have a list of Americans… If your name is on the list, you can pass,” a Taliban official told AFP near the civilian passenger terminal.
Thursday’s massacre brought panic and despair to those who wanted to leave, and the US military responsible for ensuring the safety of operations faced high risks, injecting further pressure and tension into this already panic and desperate situation. situation.
On Friday, the Pentagon corrected its initial reports of suicide bombings in two locations. It said there was only one-at or near the gate of the monastery-followed by gunfire. Taylor said the preliminary report on the second explosion of the nearby Baron Hotel proved to be wrong.
Before the bombing, people issued warnings of imminent threats, and when people gathered outside the airport on Saturday, the United States issued a new alert asking its citizens to leave the area near the main gate “immediately.”
At the White House on Friday, President Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki, stated that US national security experts believe that another attack is “possible” and that the next few days will be “the most dangerous period to date”.
Evacuation enters the “end game”
Biden has been widely criticized at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan crisis and the withdrawal of US troops. He promised to abide by the airlift deadline and severely punish those responsible for the suicide bombing.
According to the US government, approximately 112,000 people have been airlifted out of the country since August 14 (the day before the Taliban came to power).
Many Western allies have announced End their air freightSome people admitted that Afghans in danger who were eligible to evacuate were left behind.
Al Jazeera reporter Rob McBride reported in Kabul that since Friday night, the U.S. military has been withdrawing troops and handing over to the Taliban outposts on the outskirts of the Kabul airport and some positions inside the airport. Withdraw before August 31.
“In Kabul this Saturday night, you did feel this long, protracted, often chaotic and traumatic evacuation process. [is] It’s finally the final game,” he said.
In order to meet the deadline for withdrawal on Tuesday, the United States needs to work closely with the Taliban on evacuation operations and ISKP threats.
With the Taliban preparing to take over when the last U.S. plane leaves, discussions about resuming normal flight operations have begun. Turkish officials held preliminary talks with the Taliban in Kabul on helping the airport resume operations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) said that the Taliban’s proposal was for them to oversee the security of the airport, while Ankara was in charge of logistics.
Taliban pledge Inclusive brand rules In contrast, their first time in power from 1996 to 2001 ended when the United States invaded Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attack.
But many Afghans are afraid of repeating their cruel interpretations of Islamic law and retaliation against those who cooperated with foreign troops, Western missions, or former US-backed governments.
The role of women in society has always been one of the biggest concerns, because during the organization’s previous rule, they were banned from work and education, and confined at home.
The United Nations says it is preparing for the “worst case scenario” of an increase of as many as 500,000 refugees from Afghanistan by the end of 2021.
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