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Update 8/26/21, 10:38 a.m. ET: Witnesses informed the Associated Press that multiple people have been wounded in the suicide bombing that took place Tuesday morning outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, where large crowds have gathered in attempt to flee the country amid the Taliban takeover.
The witness, Adam Khan, told the news agency that “the explosion went off in a crowd of people waiting to enter the airport” and that “several people appeared to have been killed or wounded, including some who lost body parts.”
Politico is reporting that ISIS is responsible for the attack.
The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan issued a dire security alert, urging U.S. citizens to “avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates at this time.”
“There has been a large explosion at the airport, and there are reports of gunfire,” the alert stated, adding, “U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately.”
Update 8/26/21, 10:22 a.m. ET: The explosion outside the airport was the result of a suicide bombing, Fox News reported.
The outlet added that at least three U.S. Marines have been wounded in the attack, which occurred near the Abbey Gate of the complex after someone detonated a vest strapped with explosives. Further details about their injuries are not yet known. Official counts on the number of casualties are still being assessed.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the explosion, a White House official confirmed to Reuters. The president was reportedly in a briefing with national security officials about the situation in Afghanistan when he was informed of the incident.
Original story below
The Pentagon has confirmed that a large explosion has taken place outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” tweeted Pentagon press secretary John Kirby Tuesday morning.
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@John Kirby)1629985491.0
Multiple news outlets have indicated that there are Afghan casualties, but information is still coming in.
Fox News also reported that the large explosion is the result of a suicide bombing, but that information has not yet been confirmed.
In recent days, the U.S., along with several other countries, issued security alerts about the imminent threat of a terrorist attack at the airport.
A British official warned on Thursday that there was “very, very credible reporting of an imminent attack” that could take place within “hours” as Western troops finalize evacuation efforts from Afghanistan.
The Biden administration’s self-imposed deadline for departing Afghanistan is Aug. 31.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Source: TheBlaze
