Deadly Kabul Explosions; Biden: US Will Pursue and Punish Perpetrators of the Attack

During two explosions that occurred on Thursday, September 4th outside Kabul airport, at least 60 Afghans and 13 US military personnel were killed. The Islamic State group, ISIS-K, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Meanwhile, the US President emphasized that the perpetrators of this attack will be pursued and punished.

Joe Biden, the US President, condemned the attack on Kabul airport Thursday evening at the White House and said that the United States will pursue and punish the perpetrators of this attack.

The US President stressed that terrorists will not be able to deter us. We will not allow them to stop our mission. We will continue the evacuation operation.

He emphasized that despite this deadly attack, US operations in Afghanistan will end according to the predetermined timeline on August 31st.

Joe Biden, however, said that he has ordered US military forces to prepare operational plans to target the perpetrators of this attack, namely the Islamic State group of Khorasan (ISIS-K).

The US President stated clearly, We will neither forgive nor forget. We will pursue you and you will be punished.

He emphasized that the United States will determine the time and place of such attacks.

The US President added that there is no evidence of Taliban and ISIS-K collusion.

He also said that if senior US military officials want to send more troops to Afghanistan, he will do so.

According to Reuters, Joe Biden defended his approach to what he called the “most serious crisis” of his foreign policy and said that ultimately the responsibility lies with him. However, he added that part of the current situation is related to the agreement made by Donald Trump, the former US President, with the Taliban in 2020.

At the end of his remarks, the US President said, Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to end the 20-year war.

General Frank McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed Thursday evening that 12 American military personnel were killed and 15 were injured in the two Kabul explosions.

The US Defense Department spokesperson, the Pentagon, announced hours later that the number of US military personnel deaths in these explosions has increased to 13.

He added that the number of wounded has also increased to 18.

The French news agency also reports that the ISIS-K group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul is the only air evacuation site for people from Afghanistan. US officials say more than 100,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan through this airport so far.

Thousands of Afghans who want to leave Afghanistan have gathered around Kabul airport and hope to be able to leave the country through this airport.

Source: Radio Farda