The US military confirmed yesterday (26) that a large explosion occurred outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, as the US-led airlift of thousands continued inside the compound.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” said Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.
A Taliban official has told Al Jazeera that at least 11 people have been killed in the explosion outside Kabul airport. It was still unclear exactly how many casualties there were.
US and allied officials have said they had intelligence that suicide bombers were threatening to attack the airport.
Images of the explosion heard outside the airport were circulating on social media, with several users posting pictures on Twitter.
Britain’s defence ministry said it was working urgently to establish what had happened at Kabul airport following the reports of an explosion.
“We are working urgently to establish what has happened in Kabul and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort,” the Defence Ministry said on Twitter.
“Our primary concern remains the safety of our personnel, British citizens and the citizens of Afghanistan. We are in close contact with our US and other NATO allies at an operational level on the immediate response to this incident.”
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Ali M. Latifi reported the explosion outside Kabul airport was the first such incident since the Taliban took over.
“They (the Taliban) will have to rally any forces and support they have to respond to the situation and tend to any possible casualties,” he tweeted.
Al Jazeera’s Charlotte Bellis, reporting from Kabul, said about 1,500 US passport holders meant to be evacuated remained in the capital.
“The US and the Taliban have a deal. The Taliban are under strict instructions not to let anyone through without a passport, without a green card, without verified documents and there is confusion about what a verified document looks like,” she said.
She also said Kandahar airport has been reopened, giving hope that international flights will be possible even if Kabul airport closes down or has an interruption.
Meanwhile, there is a mounting humanitarian crisis in the country, with the World Food Programme saying about 14 million people are facing severe hunger in the nation of about 39 million.
(Al Jazeera)
Explosion outside Kabul airport, Pentagon confirms
26 Aug 2021
Explosion outside Kabul airport, Pentagon confirms
26 Aug 2021