BREAKING: Pentagon Confirms Two Explosions Outside Kabul Airport, 3 US Troops Reportedly Injured

Jackson RichmanAug 26th, 2021, 10:08 am
 

There was an explosion and gunfire on Thursday outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul, according to multiple media reports.

The Pentagon confirmed the explosion, which was first reported by Politico, though not the gunfire, which has been reported by The Wall Street Journal. Politico reported that U.S. forces responded with gunshots.

“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” tweeted Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.

The explosion happened at the Abbey Gate, which is the far southeast side of the airport, according to Politico. The explosion was reportedly a suicide bombing.

According to CNN, Afghans have been injured, while, according to Fox News, three U.S. troops have been injured, though Reuters reported the latter figure to be two. A total of 11 people have been killed with dozens more injured, according to local media reports.

Kirby confirmed there were casualties, though he did not give an exact number.

“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,” he tweeted.

President Joe Biden has reportedly been briefed on the explosion.

The State Department released an alert, confirming the explosion and reported gunfire and advising U.S. citizens to avoid the traveling to the airport and advising that “U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately.”

Following reports of the explosion, there have been reports of another one, also outside the airport.

Kirby confirmed the second explosion and that the first explosion caused a number of U.S. and civilian casualties, though he did not give an exact number.

“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,” he tweeted. “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.”

Four U.S. Marines were killed in the explosions, reported The Wall Street Journal. Kirby confirmed that U.S. service members were killed, though he did not provide an exact number.

“We can confirm that a number of U.S. service members were killed in today’s complex attack at Kabul airport. A number of others are being treated for wounds,” tweeted Kirby. “We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack.”

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed and injured,” he added.

It is uncertain who was behind the explosions or reported gunfire. The Taliban, which controls Afghanistan, has prevented people from getting to the airport. The Biden administration has expressed concern over a threat from ISIS-K, which is the Islamic State branch in South and Central Asia. It has been reported that ISIS-K is “definitely believed” to be behind the first explosion.

Watch above, via CNN.

UPDATE 12:19 pm ET FRIDAY: The Pentagon corrected the record on Friday and said that there was one explosion, not two.

This story is developing and will be updated.

Tags: