The United States confirmed that carried out a drone strike against the Islamic State (ISIS-K) in Afghanistan and that resulted in the death of “Two important goals” of the jihadist group that claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that killed more than 170 people on Thursday at the Kabul air terminal. The US president warned this Saturday that a new terrorist attack is very likely at the capital’s airport within the next 24 -36 hours. Meanwhile, the Taliban movement began to extend its control over the country as the final hours of the evacuation approach.
Drone attack
“I can confirm, now that we have received more information, that two major IS targets were killed and another was wounded.“said the American general Hank taylor. “As far as we know, no civilian casualties“He added. The Pentagon spokesman, John kirby, refused to explain whether the targets of the attack were directly involved in Thursday’s attack in which 13 US soldiers were killed. “They are organizers and operators of IS-K, that’s reason enough.”the spokesman responded at a press conference where he also stated that the US military remains focused on the “still active threat.” “The fact that these two individuals are no longer on the surface of the Earth is a good thing.”, he remarked.
For his part, the US president, Joe Biden, warned this Saturday that “it is very likely” that in the coming days a new terrorist attack will be registered at the Kabul airport. “The situation at the scene remains extremely dangerous and the threat of a terrorist attack at the airport remains high.”said the US president in a statement. “Our commanders have informed me that an attack is highly probable in the next 24 or 36 hours,” alerted. Biden also stated that he will continue with the mission to evacuate civilians and allies before August 31. “Despite the treacherous situation in Kabul”, he indicated. According to Taylor, some 1,400 people are at the capital’s airfield after being checked and registered to board today’s flights. The Pentagon also confirmed that it had “begun to withdraw” US troops from the airport.
After Thursday’s attack, Biden promised revenge against the perpetrators. Today the president assured to have fulfilled his promise. “It will not be the last,” he remarked. “We will continue to pursue anyone involved in that heinous attack and we will make them pay for it. We will respond whenever someone tries to harm the US or attack our troops. That is something that should never be in doubt.”, he sentenced.
This Saturday the repatriation flights also continued. Britain, for its part, concluded its air operations this Saturday, marking the end of the British intervention on Afghan soil. According to data from the London Executive, 15 thousand people were evacuated from Afghanistan since August 15, of which five thousand are British citizens and their families. In the Central Asian country there will be 150 British and between 1,000 Afghan collaborators, explained the head of the British armed forces, The general Nick carter, which he claimed was a “heartbreaking” decision.
Airport control
As the last hours of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan pass, the The insurgent regime began to control the access roads to the Hamid Karzai International Airport. Taliban fighters were circulating heavily armed on the grounds and outbuildings of the terminal. Thousands of people are still trying to escape the country after the Islamist movement seizes power, which is now tasked with carrying out strict checks on people trying to enter the air terminal. “Because of the explosion (the attack), the Americans do not let them take anything”a Taliban official told the AFP news agency. “We tell them to carry their money and gold in their pockets. If they leave their clothes we will give them to other people”added. “We have lists given by Americans … if your name is on the list, you can continue.”, assured a Taliban militiaman to the French agency. “If your name is not listed, you cannot enter”, He revealed.
In recent days there were contradictory messages about the control of the Hamid Karzai airport, where the Taliban claimed control of “three important sites of the military party,” according to Bilal karimi, spokesman for the regime. While the Pentagon spokesman, John KirbyHe denied the Taliban were “in charge of any of the gates” and “none of the operations.”
In the vicinity of the Kabul airfield there are still more than 5,000 people waiting to get on a plane, according to the US general Hank taylor, who insisted that the evacuations will continue “until the last moment”, although he detailed how they would be carried out. This week the UN refugee agency said that in 2021 alone, at least half a million new Afghan refugees are expected.
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