Afghanistan crisis: US officials say 12 service members killed in attack near Kabul airport | FULL
CA, 27 Aug 2021
Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby and Gen. Frank McKenzie, the head of U.S. Central Command, held a briefing Thursday after confirming "at least" two deadly explosions near Kabul airport in Afghanistan.
McKenzie told reporters that “two suicide bombers assessed to have been ISIS fighters” carried out an attack at Kabul's airport that killed 12 U.S. service members and injured 15 others. “A number of Afghan civilians were also killed and injured in the attack," he said.
He said the bombing was followed by a gunfight and that, while the military is saddened by the deaths, evacuations from Afghanistan are continuing. Around 1,000 U.S. citizens are estimated to still be in Afghanistan.
"Right now our focus is actually, going forward, ensuring another attack of this nature does not occur," McKenzie added.
Over the last week, the airport has been the scene of some of the most searing images of the chaotic end of America’s longest war and the Taliban’s takeover, as flight after flight took off carrying those who fear a return to the militants’ rule.
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