Two explosions have now rocked Kabul, one near the airport’s Abbey Gate and a second at a nearby hotel. Both are reportedly the work of suicide bombers.
One of the explosions was at the Baron Hotel, where Western soldiers and journalists are known to be staying. The Taliban claims that 13 people were killed, including children.
#BREAKING : Second explosion hit Baron Hotel near #Kabul airport where Americans were rescued last week.
Reports saying now 30 killed in blasts pic.twitter.com/Et74OMlBvV— ZionWarrior (@ZionWarrior6) August 26, 2021
The explosion at the airport’s gate is said to have wounded three U.S. marines, with unconfirmed reports stating that up to ten have been injured.
The bombings came after warnings of a possible attack over the past few days. UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey earlier told the BBC that the threat was “severe” and possibly “imminent.”
Small arms fire followed both explosions.
The Pentagon said there have been a number of casualties, in what it calls a “complex attack.”
Thousands of Afghans have gathered near the airport. U.S. forces are trying to evacuate Americans as well as Afghans who worked with the West over the past 20 years.
PJM’s Rick Moran reported that Taliban forces are going door-to-door, executing Afghans who worked with Western powers.
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.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
The British reportedly believe ISIS-K is likely behind the attack.
A British Defence source has told Sky News they believe it is "highly
likely" that Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) was responsible for the two explosions outside Kabul's airportFor more on this and other news visit https://t.co/8OWd2TNmj1
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) August 26, 2021
Join the conversation as a VIP Member