we knew this was coming and did not do a damn thing.

[aubiefifty 18,231]

Explosion Outside Kabul Airport Resulted in ‘A Number of U.S. and Civilian Casualties,’ According to Pentagon

 

Press Secretary John Kirby described the blast as a “complex attack”

Smoke rises from explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday, August 26th, 2021.

Wali Sabawoon/AP

An explosion took place outside the Kabul airport on Thursday, resulting in “a number of U.S. & civilian casualties,” according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, who added that at least one other explosion took place nearby.

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 explosions came a day after the U.S. embassy warned Americans to stay away from the Hamid Karzai Airport, citing an unspecific threat. “U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately,” the advisory read.

Kirby noted that the explosion on Thursday, which he described as a “complex attack” took place outside the Abbey Gate, a main entry point to the airport. The second explosion took place at the nearby Baron Hotel. Multiple outlets have reported that the blast was the work of a suicide bomber.

It’s unclear how many were killed or injured in the attacks. Reporters noted that at least 30 people had been brought to a nearby emergency room, according to The New York Times. The Times also noted that a witness told Afghanistan’s TOLO News that “dead bodies and wounded people were scattered everywhere after the explosion happened.”

The Hamid Karzai Airport has been swarmed with people desperate to leave Afghanistan as the U.S. continues to evacuate Americans and vulnerable Afghans following the Taliban’s takeover of the nation less than two weeks ago.

This story is developing.

 

i say say rain missile and drone hell on any taliban we can find. what does it prove to kill americans when they have agreed to pull out?

[AUDub 11,846]

Just now, aubiefifty said:

 

i say say rain missile and drone hell on any taliban we can find. what does it prove to kill americans when they have agreed to pull out?

There's no way in hell this was Taliban. They want us gone as much as we want to be gone. This will be one of the offshoots of ISIS, who hate the Taliban as much as they hate us. 

[homersapien 12,230]

I tend to agree with Dub.  Assuming the Taliban intend to govern the country, it is not in their interest to kill Americans at this point.  They have already won.  Here's a good piece that discusses that dynamic:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/can-the-u-s-safely-evacuate-afghanistan-by-the-aug-31-deadline-two-experts-weigh-in