Another blast reported in Kabul, comes after US warning yesterday
Explosion comes as U.S. issues terror warning alert which remains in place today, two days before withdrawal deadline
UPDATED Sunday, Aug. 29 6:55 p.m. Israel time
The United States military struck a vehicle in Kabul believed to be carrying “multiple suicide bombers” who represented “an imminent ISIS-K threat,” according to U.S. officials.
American officials said the members of the Afghan branch of Islamic State were headed toward Kabul’s airport on Sunday, where evacuations of Americans are ongoing.
"We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material," U.S. Central Command spokesman Navy Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement. "We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats."
The attack comes after coordinated attacks in Kabul left 13 American troops and at least 169 Afghans dead on Thursday. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for those attacks.
Yesterday, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a statement that a new terror attack in Kabul is "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours." And U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had warned of a "high likelihood" of another attack before the Aug. 31 evacuation deadline for Americans.
The United States is the only nation with allied forces left in Afghanistan. The final flight carrying British Armed Forces personnel left, ending its civilian airlift operation.
Americans were told to avoid the airport yesterday in light of a new terror warning.
"Two decades of engagement in Afghanistan by British troops has come to an end as the final members of UK military and diplomatic personnel left Kabul airport on Saturday night, ending the largest evacuation mission since the second world war," reported the Guardian. "Operation Pitting – where more than 1,000 troops, diplomats, and officials were dispatched to Afghanistan to rescue UK nationals and Afghan allies after the seizure of the country’s capital by the Taliban – airlifted more than 15,000 people to safety across just over a fortnight."
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
