The Pentagon on Thursday confirmed two explosions in Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of scores of people, including at least 12 US Marines. The first blast was reported at the Abbey Gate while the second one was near the Baron Hotel.
"Twelve US servicemen were killed and 15 injured in the attacks in Kabul. Despite this attack, we're continuing the mission of evacuation," Commander of the US Central Command, Marine Corps General Kenneth F McKenzie Jr, said on Thursday.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed the development saying that "a number of US service members" were killed in today's complex attack at Kabul airport.
"We can confirm that a number of US service members were killed in today's complex attack at Kabul airport. A number of others are being treated for wounds. We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack," Kirby said in a statement.
An ISIS suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion outside the Kabul airport, Politico reported citing US officials. This comes just hours after officials began warning about an increased ISIS threat in Afghanistan.
"We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US and 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," Kirby said.
According to a local reporter, a suicide attacker blew himself up in the middle of a large crowd at the airport. A second explosion struck Kabul near a hotel in the country's capital, where US citizens were gathering to be evacuated.
"AFG Explosion took place outside of the eastern gate of airport and gunfire is underway. There are casualties and fatalities, multiple eyewitnesses tells me," Afghan reporter Bilal Sarwary tweeted.
Earlier, Pentagon had confirmed reports of the first explosion outside from outside of the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday.
In recent days, Kabul airport has been witnessing chaotic scenes as people are reaching the airport in hurry to escape from the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the terror attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport and expressed his support for the victims of the blast.
Back in Washington, US President Joe Biden met with top officials of his administration on Thursday as the two explosions were reported in Kabul. Biden met with his national security team in the morning local time, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Chairman of Joint Chief of Staff Mark Milley, and commanders on the ground.
