Another unfortunate attack at the Kabul airport consumed the lives of hundreds of people. As thousands of Afghans remain desperate to flee the country, the Kabul Airport bomb blast has jolted the international media. Earlier on Thursday, the UN warned the crowds to leave the Hamid Karzai International Airport as New Zealand, Britain, and Australia expected “high threats” of a terrorist attack.
The US State Department warned its citizens and immediately asked them to leave the areas: Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate. Almost all of the European countries have completed their evacuation and stopped the flights from Kabul. The UK foreign office urged the people to refrain from travelling to the airport upon “high-security threats.” Earlier, UK Defence sources also mentioned a risk of suicide bombing by an Islamic State-affiliated group (Isis-K). After few hours, two explosions at Kabul airport took place!
Details of the Attack at Kabul airport
The perimeters of the Kabul airport were struck by two heavy explosions. Reports claim that the attack killed 110 people including 13 US soldiers. McKenzie mentioned that more than 14 US military members sustained injuries. Currently, 5800 US soldiers are present at the Kabul airport helping in the evacuation of the US citizens. Since the US invaded Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks, the US military fatalities reached 2,218. In 2020, eleven US personnel lost their lives. Further, in 2019 twenty-four were killed. According to the Brown University and Brookings Institution around 71,000 Afghan civilians and 66,000 Afghan military personnel have lost their lives so far.
A senior health official mentioned that around 150 people sustained injuries. Before the attack, many countries had stopped their evacuation flights including Germany, and Canada. As soon as McKenzie spoke, the militant group on its Amaq News Channel claimed responsibility for the attack.
The First Explosion– The major gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport is Abbey Gate. The first blast took place close to the main entrance. It was the place where US forces screened the civilians for admission into the airport. UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace mentioned that while the families were waiting outside the entrance, a suicide bomber walked before the blast. Reports claim that the attacker also opened fire on the crowds after the bomb exploded.
The second Explosion– Took place near the airport and closer to the Baron Hotel at around 18:00 local time. At that time, British officials were using the Baron Hotel to process travelling to the UK. Soon after the blast, gunfire took place.
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Response of the International Media at the Hamid Karzai International Airport Carnage
Joe Biden addressed his nation from the white house and warned the terrorists of revenge. Further, he mentioned that he will send more US armies to Afghanistan if needed. He also said that he would defend the interests of his people with every measure at his command. He referred to the soldiers who lost their lives as “heroes.”
“To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,”
Joe Biden
Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack. Foreign Office Islamabad issued a statement conveying sympathies and condolences to the suffering families.
“Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We convey our sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of those injured.”
Foreign Office Islamabad
Taliban officials mentioned that they’ve lost a greater number of people than the Americans in the Kabul attack. Moreover, they clarified that the attack has nothing to do with the Taliban and added that they are “not responsible for the chaotic evacuation plan prepared by foreign nations”.
Despite the threats of terror attack, the evacuation will continue, claims the US. In the last two weeks, around 100,000 people have been evacuated by the Western countries. Almost all of the Western countries have completed their evacuation.
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