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Islamic State suicide bombers attacked crowds of people gathered Thursday outside Kabul airport hoping to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, killing dozens including 13 US troops, as President Joe Biden vowed to hunt down those responsible.
The Taliban said the two blasts killed between 13 and 20 people. A health official in the previous government said the count is at least 85.
President Joe Biden has vowed to "hunt" down the terrorists and make them "pay" for the deadly attacks outside the Kabul airport in which 13 US service members were killed and 18 others wounded.
"To those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm notice, we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command," Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
Here are the highlights on Afghanistan-Taliban crisis:
No Quick Recognition Of Taliban Government By US Or Allies: White House
We Will Transfer Kabul Airport Back To Afghan People: US State Department France ends its evacuations from Afghanistan: Minister
France ended its air evacuations from Afghanistan late Friday after bringing around 3,000 people out of the country, Defence Minister Florence Parly announced.
"Operation Apagan, begun on August 15 at the request of the president, ended this evening. In less than two weeks, the French military has brought some 3,000 people to safety, including more than 2,600 Afghans," Parly tweeted.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Promises Help To Afghans Still Seeking Resettlement: Will Do Whatever We CanUpon our departure, we will transfer the Kabul airport back to the Afghan people: US State Department spokesperson Ned Price pic.twitter.com/E4J4xymzaj
- ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2021
1,05,000 People Evacuated From Afghanistan Since Mid-August, Says US
US On Alert For More Kabul Attacks, Says Next Few Days Will Be Most Dangerous
Learned From Master (Pakistan) Amrullah Saleh On Taliban Denying ISIS Links Last German flight with Afghan evacuees lands in Frankfurt
The last German civilian plane carrying Afghans fleeing Taliban rule landed in Frankfurt on Friday, a day after the country's armed forces said they had finished their evacuation operation at Kabul airport.
The final German military aircraft carrying soldiers and German and Afghan civilians left Kabul for Tashkent on Thursday.
An Afghan student who was on the onward flight to Germany from Uzbekistan said he never wanted to return to his homeland after seeing his desperate countrymen sleeping outside Kabul airport for days.
"The past few days were very burdensome," said the 28-year-old. "People have been spending the night near the airport for days to maybe get a chance to get near the entrance and then get inside somehow. It is very tough for us and when you see the people there, it's hard to take."
Spain ends Kabul airlifts after flying out 2,200 people
Spain announced the end of its Kabul evacuations on Friday after a nine-day operation that saw more than 2,200 people flown out of the strife-torn country following the Taliban takeover.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was at the Torrejon de Ardoz airbase near Madrid when the last plane with evacuees from Afghanistan landed on Friday evening on a flight from Dubai, ending an airlift that began on August 18.
Sanchez and other government officials applauded as the passengers, including Spain's ambassador to Afghanistan and 82 Spanish soldiers, disembarked from the aircraft.
"In total, we have managed to evacuate 2,206 people," he said earlier on Friday when he announced the end of the operation, indicating the number was almost three times higher than expected and hailing the work involved in a mission of "extraordinary complexity".
"Mission accomplished," he said while insisting Spain was "not going to abandon the Afghan people".
"Specific, Credible Threats" Remain Against Kabul Airport Operations: US
There remain "credible threats" against the major airlift operation at Kabul airport, the Pentagon said today, a day after a suicide attack on a crowd trying to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan killed at least 85 people, including 13 US servicemen.
The blast claimed by the Islamic State terror group targeted US forces, but hit hardest the mass of people fearing life under the Taliban who converged on the airport in a desperate bid to board a flight out.
At least 72 people were killed, including the 13 American troops, according to various authorities, in an attack that came after a chorus of warnings from foreign governments of an imminent threat.
"I Was Lucky," Says Afghan Filmmaker On Fleeing Kabul
Hours before the Taliban took control of Kabul, filmmaker Shahrbanoo Sadat received an offer to leave Afghanistan. She declined, as it would mean leaving family members behind.
The next day she went to the bank.
"(Suddenly) we saw Taliban cars with white flags ... and ... we're running," Sadat told Reuters in an interview. "And that was for me like a moment of a movie that couldn't be real because I was in the middle of Kabul."
Two Nationals Among Dead In Kabul Airport Attack: UK Government
Two British nationals and the child of a British national were among the 85 people so-far confirmed killed in the Kabul airport attack, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said Friday.
"I was deeply saddened to learn that two British nationals and the child of another British national were killed by yesterday's terror attack, with two more injured," Raab said in a statement.
"These were innocent people and it is a tragedy that as they sought to bring their loved ones to safety in the UK they were murdered by cowardly terrorists."
The suicide attack on a crowd trying to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan killed scores of Afghans including 13 US servicemen.
Switzerland ends evacuations from Kabul
The Swiss government said Friday it had ended its evacuation operation out of Kabul after helping airlift 385 people to Switzerland following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
The foreign ministry said that 34 Swiss nationals were among those evacuated, but that 11 citizens and 16 residents of the wealthy Alpine nation remained in the war-torn country.
Kabul bombers must be brought "to justice": UN Security Council
The United Nations Security Council urged the international community to bring the perpetrators of the Kabul airport bombings to justice in a joint statement released Friday.
"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," the 15-member council said.
"They urged all states, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard."
Once Enemies, US And Taliban Find Common Ground Against ISIS
After fighting each other for 20 years, the U.S. and Taliban are suddenly finding their interests aligned against a common enemy -- but their own bloody history stands in the way of eliminating the threat.
The blast at Kabul airport late Thursday, which killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 60 Afghans, showed the world the terrorism risks emanating from Afghanistan as American troops prepare to leave next week. After the attack, President Joe Biden vowed to strike against the extremist group ISIS-K while explaining why the U.S. is cooperating with the Taliban on the evacuation.
UN warns of up to 500,000 more Afghan refugees by year end
The United Nations said Friday it was bracing for a possible exodus from Afghanistan of up to half a million more refugees by the end of 2021.
"We are preparing for around 500,000 new refugees in the region. This is a worst-case scenario," Kelly Clements, the deputy high commissioner of the UN refugee agency, told reporters.
Unknown Number Of Indians Left In Afghanistan, Most Evacuated: Centre
India today said that the exact number of its citizens remaining in war-torn Afghanistan was unknown. The Ministry of External Affairs believes it has evacuated most who wanted to return while some are still around.
"The numbers keep changing. Our overall assessment is that the vast majority of Indians who wish to return have been evacuated. Some more are likely to be in Afghanistan. I don't have the exact number for that," Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said today during a press briefing on the situation in the war-torn country.
"We are monitoring the situation very carefully. It is an evolving situation."
India has till now evacuated hundreds of people from that country since the abrupt takeover of the country's governance by Taliban terrorists last week unleashed much fear and desperation, especially in capital Kabul.
Afghan health facilities running out of medical supplies: WHO
Twin suicide bombs ripped through crowds outside Kabul airport on Thursday, killing scores of Afghans as well as 13 US troops and adding to logistical difficulties faced by WHO to deliver medical equipment and medicine.
"We have only a few days of supplies left and are exploring all options to bring more medicines into the country," said Rick Brennan, the WHO emergencies director in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Speaking to journalists in Geneva via videolink from Cairo, he acknowledged there were "multiple security and logistics constraints", adding that bringing supplies in through Kabul airport was no longer an option after the blasts.
About 12,500 people evacuated from Afghanistan on Thursday, White House says
About 12,500 people were evacuated from Afghanistan on Thursday, raising the total evacuees since the Taliban took over on Aug. 14 to about 105,000, the White House said on Friday.
About 5,000 of those were evacuated on Thursday evening, according to the White House tallies.
Sweden Ends Evacuations From Kabul: Government
Sweden said Friday it had ended its evacuations out of Kabul, after airlifting more than 1,100 people to Sweden in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
Sweden said Friday it had ended its evacuations out of Kabul, after airlifting more than 1,100 people to Sweden in the wake of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.
Afghan Evacuation Flights Restart After Deadly ISIS Suicide Bombings
The last German civilian plane carrying Afghans fleeing Taliban rule landed in Frankfurt on Friday, a day after the country's armed forces said they had finished their evacuation operation at Kabul airport.
The final German military aircraft carrying soldiers and German and Afghan civilians left Kabul for Tashkent on Thursday.
An Afghan student who was on the onward flight to Germany from Uzbekistan said he never wanted to return to his homeland after seeing his desperate countrymen sleeping outside Kabul airport for days.
"The past few days were very burdensome," said the 28-year-old. "People have been spending the night near the airport for days to maybe get a chance to get near the entrance and then get inside somehow. It is very tough for us and when you see the people there, it's hard to take."
Germany says it has received assurances from the Taliban that Afghans with legal documents will be able to travel on commercial flights beyond the Aug. 31, when the last NATO troops will leave the country.
France Could Extend Kabul Evacuations Beyond Today, Says MinisterFrance could extend the evacuation of French citizens and Afghans in danger from Kabul beyond Friday, a minister said, after Paris previously indicated its airlift mission would end in the evening."
Turkey holds first talks with the Taliban in Kabul: Erdogan
Indian envoy at UN Security Council condemns Kabul terrorist attack
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
"In the UN #SecurityCouncil meeting this afternoon on Ethiopia, I prefaced my statement by strongly condemning the #terroristattack in #Kabul today," tweeted Mr Tirumurti.
Mr Tirumurti was speaking at United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Peace and Security in Africa. The meeting was on the worsening situation in Ethiopia, amid the Tigray crisis.
"Let me begin by strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Kabul today. We extend our heartful condolences to the families of the victims of this terrorist attack. Today's attacks reinforce the need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism and all those who provide sanctuaries to terrorists," said the Indian envoy.
ANI
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti on Thursday condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
"In the UN #SecurityCouncil meeting this afternoon on Ethiopia, I prefaced my statement by strongly condemning the #terroristattack in #Kabul today," tweeted Mr Tirumurti.
Mr Tirumurti was speaking at United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Peace and Security in Africa. The meeting was on the worsening situation in Ethiopia, amid the Tigray crisis.
"Let me begin by strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Kabul today. We extend our heartful condolences to the families of the victims of this terrorist attack. Today's attacks reinforce the need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism and all those who provide sanctuaries to terrorists," said the Indian envoy.
ANI
Britain to end evacuations from Afghanistan 'in a matter of hours': defence minister
Britain said Friday that it plans to complete its evacuations out of Afghanistan "in a matter of hours".
"We will process those people that we have brought with us, the 1,000 people approximately inside the airfield now," British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News. "And we will seek a way to continue to find a few people in the crowd, where we can, but overall the main processing has now closed and we have a matter of hours."
AFP
Britain said Friday that it plans to complete its evacuations out of Afghanistan "in a matter of hours".
"We will process those people that we have brought with us, the 1,000 people approximately inside the airfield now," British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told Sky News. "And we will seek a way to continue to find a few people in the crowd, where we can, but overall the main processing has now closed and we have a matter of hours."
AFP
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE Updates: UK says it is in last stages of Kabul evacuations, processing ended
"It is with deep regret that not everyone has been able to be evacuated during this process," defence minister Ben Wallace said in a statement.
British forces have entered the final stages of evacuating people from Kabul's airport and processing facilities have closed, Britain's defence ministry said on Friday.
The effort would now focus on evacuating British nationals and others who have already been cleared to leave and are already at the airport, the ministry said.No further people would be called forward to the airport for evacuation, it said.
"It is with deep regret that not everyone has been able to be evacuated during this process," defence minister Ben Wallace said in a statement.
Wallace later told Sky News television that Thursday's attack at the airport, which killed 85 people including 13 U.S soldiers, had not sped up Britain's timetable for ending the evacuation operation.
He said the threat of further attacks would grow as the operation neared its conclusion.
So far, Britain has evacuated more than 13,700 British nationals and Afghans, representing the second biggest airlift by the country's air force after the Berlin Airlift in 1949, the ministry said.
REUTERS
REUTERS
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE Updates: Spain to end evacuations from Kabul on Friday
Spain to end evacuations from Kabul on Friday: government
Spain to end evacuations from Kabul on Friday: government
Kabul airport blasts death count rises to 72: Report
BREAKING | Kabul airport blasts death count rises to 72: news agency AFP reports quoting former health officials
BREAKING | Kabul airport blasts death count rises to 72: news agency AFP reports quoting former health officials
Kabul Blasts: Deadliest Day For US Military In About A DecadeTwo explosions outside Kabul's international airport killed 12 U.S. service members and at least 60 Afghans, and wounded dozens more, less than a week before U.S. forces are due to depart
Afghanistan-Taliban Crisis LIVE Updates: 'Learned From Master (Pak)': Amrullah Saleh On Taliban Denying ISIS Links
Mr Saleh also hit out at the Taliban for denying links with ISIS and said that it is similar to the denial of Pakistan on Quetta Shura.
The self-proclaimed ''caretaker'' President of the Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh on Friday said that the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K) has links with the Taliban and the Haqqani network, particularly the ones operating in Kabul.
"Every evidence we have in hand shows that IS-K cells have their roots in Talibs & Haqqani network particularly the ones operating in Kabul. Talibs denying links with ISIS is identical/similar to the denial of Pakistan on Quetta Shura. Talibs have learned very well from the master," Mr Saleh said in a tweet.
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Afghanistan-Taliban Crisis LIVE Updates: What Is IS-K And What Is Its Relationship With Taliban?ISIS had been highly critical of the deal last year between Washington and the Taliban that led to the agreement for withdrawing foreign troops, accusing the group of abandoning the jihadist cause
Kabul Airport Attack: Saw Doomsday: He Spent 10 Hours In Kabul Airport Queue. Then, A BlastEven for a city as used to violent death as Kabul, the scenes after twin blasts tore through crowds thronging outside the airport in hope of evacuation were apocalyptic.
Kabul Airport Attack: At Kabul Airport, Narrow Escape For 160 Afghan Sikhs, Hindus
Around 160 Sikh and Hindu citizens of Afghanistan may have narrowly escaped Thursday's twin blasts near the Kabul airport that killed several people. These members of the war-ravaged country's minority communities have now taken refuge inside a Gurdwara, informed people have said. Around 145 Afghan Sikhs and 15 Hindus were at the spot last night hours before the blasts at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan's capital. They were looking to make their way out of the country following the takeover last week by the Taliban. Read Here
"We Will Hunt You Down, Make You Pay," Joe Biden Warns Kabul Bombers
US President Joe Biden pledged Thursday to hunt down the perpetrators of the suicide bombings that killed 12 American troops in Kabul and said the United States will not be deterred from its mission to evacuate thousands of civilians from Afghanistan. "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," Biden said.
Kabul Airport Blast: 60 Civilians, 13 US Troops Killed In Kabul Blast, ISIS Claims Attack
ISIS struck the crowded gates of Kabul airport in a suicide bomb attack on Thursday, killing scores of civilians and at least 13 U.S. troops, disrupting the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans desperate to flee. Hours after the twin blasts, a third explosion was reported by news agency AFP while unconfirmed reports said there may have been more. Read Here
Kabul Airport Attack: US Braces For More ISIS Attacks After Carnage At Kabul Airport
U.S. troops helping to evacuate Afghans desperate to flee Taliban rule braced for more attacks on Friday after ISIS struck the crowded gates of Kabul airport, killing scores of civilians and at least 13 U.S. troops. Kabul health officials were quoted as saying 60 civilians were killed in the attack on Thursday. Video shot by Afghan journalists showed dozens of bodies strewn around a canal on the edge of the airport. At least two blasts and gunfire rocked the area, witnesses said.
Joe Biden reaffirms August 31 troop pullout deadline from Afghanistan
President Joe Biden on Thursday reaffirmed August 31 as the deadline for US troops to leave Afghanistan, in the wake of a deadly attack on Kabul airport.
Biden, who earlier vowed to continue the evacuation of civilians from Kabul, said there remained an "opportunity for the next several days, between now and the 31st, to be able to get them out."
"Knowing the threat, knowing that we may very well have another attack, the military has concluded that that's what we should do. I think they are right."
