WASHINGTON – The United States military yesterday said it has carried out a drone strike against a “planner” of the Islamic State-Khorasan, the group that claimed the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport.
“The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan. Initial indications are that we killed the target,” said Capt Bill Urban of the Central Command.
“We know of no civilian casualties,” he said in a statement announcing the first reported US strike since the attack.
The strike, launched from outside Afghanistan, came as the airlift of evacuees from Kabul airport continued under much-heightened security after Thursday’s assault.
At least 78 people were killed, including 13 US troops, when a suicide attacker exploded a bomb in the dense crowd in front of the airport’s Abbey Gate. Some media reported that the fatalities number close to 200.
US officials said gunmen opened fire after the explosion, adding to the carnage.
The attack was carried out by the violent Afghan arm of IS.
Following the attack, US President Joe Biden vowed retaliation.
“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,” said Biden on Thursday.
Yesterday afternoon, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said they believe the group has plans to strike the airlift again.
“We still believe there are credible threats... specific, credible threats.”
Following Kirby’s statement, the US urged its citizens to “immediately” leave the gates around Kabul airport.
“US citizens who are at Abbey Gate, East Gate, North Gate, or the New Interior Ministry Gate now should leave immediately,” said the American embassy in the Afghan capital in a security alert.
Kabul airport has seen throngs of people seeking to flee the country after the Taliban took over. – AFP, August 28, 2021
