A suicide bombing terror attack outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, has left at least 13 people killed, including children, and wounded three U.S. troops on Thursday, according to reports. A second blast has been reported near the city’s Baron Hotel. The total casualty count is unclear. Warning: Graphic photos and video below.
1:02 P.M. — The Wall Street Journal reports: “The U.S. ambassador in Kabul has told staff there that four U.S. Marines were killed in an explosion at the city’s airport and three wounded, a U.S. official with knowledge of the briefing said. Two explosions ripped through crowds of Afghans trying to enter the airport on Thursday.”
12:56 P.M. — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemns the twin attacks in Kabul, says U.K. will continue with evacuations.
12:40 P.M. — Taliban spokesman issues a statement on the twin Kabul bombings: “The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport, which took place in an area where US forces are responsible for security. The Islamic Emirate is paying close attention to the security and protection of its people, and evil circles will be strictly stopped.”
12:39 P.M. —
12:27 P.M. —U.S. Marine and reporter Julio Rosas and others are blasting frequent MSNBC guest Malcolm Nance over his commentary of the deadly Kabul blasts in which U.S. troops were reportedly wounded.
12:17 P.M. — The New York Times reports at least 40 dead bodies and 120 injured have been taken to hospitals across Kabul.
At least 40 dead bodies and 120 wounded transferred to Kabul hospitals, with 60% of wounded in the critical condition. All those killed and wounded are in critical condition.
— Fahim Abed (@fahimabed) August 26, 2021
12:16 P.M. — 60 Irish nationals have been behind in Afghanistan as the Irish military departs, according to Independent.ie.
12:15 P.M. — The Canadian government has ended its evacuation mission in Afghanistan, leaving multiple Canadians stranded, BBC reports.
12:04 P.M. — Afghanistan news channel TOLOnews shares graphic footage following the blast outside Kabul’s airport.
12:01 P.M. — The White House briefing with press secretary Jen Psaki scheduled for noon is now delayed.
11:50 A.M. — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says evacuations from Kabul should continue after “horrific terrorist attack.”
11:49 A.M. —
11:48 A.M. — An emergency hospital in Kabul tells Reuters that roughly 60 wounded people have arrived following the city’s twin explosions.
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11:35 A.M. — As many as five U.S. troops may have been injured, according to Reuters.
11:30 A.M. — Afghanistan news channel TOLOnews reports: “Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that 52 people had been wounded in two explosions near Kabul airport. He added that the blast also caused casualties, but exact figures are not available.”
11:26 A.M. — A source tells Fox News that “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue” following twin blasts in Kabul.
11:22 A.M. — A pair of House Republican lawmakers call on President Biden to resign.
11:21 A.M. — ISIS is “definitely believed to be” the culprit behind the attack outside Kabul’s airport, a U.S. official tells the Associated Press.
11:15 A.M. — The White House has postponed President Joe Biden’s scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid.
11:03 A.M. — The Wall Street Journal’s Afghanistan correspondent reports 30 wounded people have arrived at a hospital for treatment. Six are dead on arrival.
10:57 A.M. — Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby confirms a “complex attack” has resulted in U.S. and civilian casualties. “We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate,” the official adds.
10:52 A.M. —
An ISIS suicide bomber was responsible for the blast out Kabul’s airport, an unnamed U.S. official told Politico.
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10:34 A.M. —
10:33 A.M. — President Joe Biden is in the White House Situation Room as he receives updates on the blast in Kabul.
10:30 A.M. — Reuters White House correspondent Steve Holland, citing a Taliban official, reports at least 13 people, including children, were killed in the blast outside Kabul’s main airport.
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