Following the fatal explosions at Kabul’s airport that left 12 U.S. soldiers and many Afghans dead, President Joe Biden will speak.
According to the White House, Biden will address the nation at the White House on Thursday at 5 p.m.
Two suicide bombers struck Kabul, killing dozens of Afghans who were waiting to flee the Taliban’s clutches on their flights. Biden has set Tuesday as the deadline for an operation by the U.S. to airlift American citizens and Afghans in need to other countries.
The attack was claimed by the affiliate of Islamic State in Afghanistan.
Biden has come under tremendous pressure to extend evacuations beyond Tuesday but has repeatedly cited the threat to attack as a reason for not extending the deadline.
WASHINGTON — The State Department said it is monitoring approximately 1,000 Americans who may be still in Afghanistan. This comes despite the suicide attacks at Kabul’s airport.
On Wednesday, Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, stated that approximately 1,500 Americans were still believed to be in the country. However the department confirmed that about 500 of them have been evacuated.
It said that 500 more people who claimed to be Americans wanted to leave had reached out to the U.S Embassy, but it was confident that the majority of them wouldn’t be U.S citizens. It said that 75% of the approximately 1,000 Americans it believes are in Afghanistan were making plans to leave.
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WASHINGTON — If they are able to find the perpetrators of the attacks on Kabul’s airport, the U.S. will “go after them.”
General Frank McKenzie stated that the terrorist attacks of Thursday were likely to have been perpetrated by Afghan fighters affiliated with the Islamic State group.
He stated that the 12 U.S. military personnel who were killed in the attack would not prevent the United States from continuing to evacuate Americans and other people. McKenzie said that there are still “extremely active security threats” at the airport in Kabul.
He said that “we expect these attacks will continue” and added that Taliban commanders were asked to implement additional security measures to stop another suicide bomber from hitting the airport’s perimeter. He stated that he does not believe the Taliban permitted Thursday’s attacks.
Thursday’s Defense Secretary LLoyd Austin also suggested that the evacuation would continue and offered his condolences to all the family members and colleagues of those who were killed or wounded in Kabul today.
He said, “Terrorists killed their lives while these troops tried to save others’ lives.” We are deeply sorry for their loss. We will heal their wounds. We will also support their families through what will be a most devastating time of grief. We will not let this stop us from completing the task at hand.”
The statement added that “To do less, especially now, would be dishonoring the purpose and sacrifices these men and women have rendered for our country and the peoples of Afghanistan.”
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WASHINGTON — U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi was briefed in a telephone call by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after the attack in Kabul on Thursday, which also claimed 12 U.S. military personnel, including one Navy medic and 11 Marines.
Pelosi’s office dismissed calls by the House Republican leadership to get Congress back in session as “empty tricks” given the extraordinary evacuation of Americans from Afghanistan.
Drew Hammill, Pelosi’s spokesperson on Twitter said that “Right now American heroes are risking and giving their lives in order to execute an extraordinarily hazardous evacuation.” “What is not going to help evacuate American citizens are more empty stunts and distraction.”
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer stated that the attackers in Kabul’s attack on Thursday would be “researched and brought to justice.”
In a statement, the New York Democrat stated that he had just spoken with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin regarding the “heinous attacks” on U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and their Afghan partners.
He said, “I strongly condemn the act of terror and it must be made clear to the whole world that terrorists responsible for this will be pursued and brought to justice.”
The U.S. House Republican Leader called upon Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to call Congress back into session in order for lawmakers to consider legislation that would prohibit the Aug. 31, withdrawal until all Americans have left Afghanistan.
California Representative Kevin McCarthy stated, “It’s time for Congress to quickly save lives.”
It is unlikely that the deadline will be extended. Majority control is held by Democrats aligned to President Joe Biden and they are unlikely to reconsider such legislation to change the withdrawal date.
The handling of Kabul’s situation by Biden has been highly criticized by Republicans.
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BERLIN — Germany’s defense minister has announced that her country has stopped its mission to evacuate Afghanistan.
Annegret KrampKarrenbauer, Defense Minister, said that the last of the German troops and military aircraft arrived in Tashkent on Thursday evening. She stated that Germany had evacuated 5,347 persons from at least 45 countries, including over 4,000 Afghans.
Germany had not publicly stated when its flights would end, but other European countries have also been preparing for their evacuation ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw U.S troops.
Kramp-Karrenbauer stated that the last flights were loading at the time of the attacks on Thursday just outside the airport. The German commander then put in motion plans to conduct an “emergency exit.”
She said that the attacks she witnessed this afternoon “have made it clear that an extension to the operation in Kabul is not possible.” It was impossible due to the security situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s refusal to accept an extension beyond August 31.
According to the minister, Germany offered a medevac aircraft that flew overhead to help with wounded people from other countries. However, “according to mine, that wasn’t the case so far.” She stated that the plane, which flew to Tashkent, would be available if necessary.
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ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime Minister says the international community must help Afghan Taliban to rebuild peace after taking over Afghanistan.
Imran Khan spoke to a gathering of his ruling party members on Thursday. The speech was televised. Khan’s support for the Taliban is most evident since they invaded Kabul on August 15th and took control of the country.
Khan said that “the Taliban are talking to peace” and that “the world community should support them.” He also stated that the Taliban have declared that they want an inclusive government, human rights respect and no one to use Afghan soil for attacks.
Former cricketer, the prime minister said that peace is needed for Afghanistan.
Khan spoke shortly before the twin suicide bombings at Kabul airport that left at least 13 dead and 15 others wounded. Numerous Marines were injured and some were killed.
The Pakistani foreign ministry stated that children were among the victims and said that Pakistan condemns terrorist acts in all forms.
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LONDON — Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, says that while the bombing attack on Kabul’s airport caused “many” casualties but that the U.K. will continue its evacuation operations in Afghanistan for a little longer.
According to the U.S., several Marines were killed in an attack by two suicide bombers and gunmen on crowds of Afghans at the airport on Thursday. Johnson expressed condolences for the U.S., Afghanistan and said that Americans “very tragically have lost their lives” and that there were “many Afghan casualties”.
He stated that Britain would continue to support the evacuation operation even though it was “now coming towards its end.”
He stated that the attack showed that it was important to continue that work as quickly and efficiently as possible during the remaining hours.
Johnson didn’t say when the British would cease their efforts. The U.S. forces will be leaving the airport by August 31. Other countries’ missions must conclude before then. Many countries have already announced that their airlifts will be ending.
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TEHRAN (Iran) — President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran said that Afghanistan’s neighbor should support the establishment of a broad-based government in Kabul.
Raisi said on Thursday, during a meeting to Tehran with the Pakistani foreign minister, that other countries should only serve as a facilitator for the establishment of a broad-based inclusive government with all people and groups present.
These remarks were posted to Raisi’s site. He claimed that Iran has provided shelter for some 4 million Afghan refugees over the past 40 years and has also supported Afghans. He claimed that the presence of Western countries in the region would not help its “security.”
Iran regards the U.S. presence in Afghanistan and Iraq, as a threat to its security. While it has welcomed the U.S. withdrawal, it is cautiously awaiting the Taliban’s next move.
Contrary to 1998, when Iran declared war on the Taliban in response to the deaths of several Iranian diplomats in Afghanistan, the Iranian state media has claimed in recent weeks that the Taliban have not changed and are no threat to Iran.
Critics warn, however, that the Taliban could return to their anti Iranian stance once they have full control over Afghanistan.
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THE HAGUE (Netherlands) — The Netherlands’ foreign minister says that the last Dutch diplomats have left Kabul, as the international airlift is winding down. Her thoughts are now with those still trapped in the capital of Afghanistan.
Sigrid Kaag, Foreign Affairs Minister, tweeted on Thursday: “It is terrible to have to leave Afghanistan in this way after twenty years.”
After the end of international flights, Kaag said her thoughts were with those left behind in Afghanistan. Kaag said that the Netherlands and its allies are committed to supporting the Afghan people and helping them return to their homeland.
In recent days, the Netherlands flew more than 20 flights from Kabul to other airports in the area.
Over 1,700 people were flown home to the Netherlands, including more than 1,000 Afghans who served with diplomats and forces of the Netherlands.
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TBILISI (Georgia) — About 2,000 people were evacuated from Afghanistan to Tbilisi by the government of Georgia.
A government statement said Thursday that NATO cargo planes fly daily from Tbilisi-Kabul and that charter flights are used to evacuate the affected.
Although the former Soviet republic is not an NATO member, it has been cooperating closely with NATO in recent years. According to the statement, Georgia was cooperating with international institutions such as the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund in order to evacuate its personnel from Afghanistan.
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WASHINGTON — Senator Robert Menendez (Democrat chairman of the Senate foreign Relations committee) called the unfolding situation in Kabul “a full fledged humanitarian crisis.”
He stated that the U.S. The government personnel must ensure the security of the airport and complete the evacuation of Americans citizens as well as vulnerable Afghans who are desperately trying to flee the country.
Menendez stated that he understood that American personnel were among those who died. He also said that his prayers were with the families of the victims and their families. While we wait for more information, one thing is certain: The Taliban cannot be trusted with American security.
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THE HAGUE (Netherlands) — NATO Chief has condemned the suicide bombings at Kabul Airport that killed two Afghans who were trying to flee the country. The attack was also a terrorist attack on NATO’s efforts to evacuate them.
Jens Stoltenberg tweeted, “I strongly condemn this terrorist attack outside of #Kabul airport. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who were affected. “Our priority is to get as many people as possible to safety as soon as possible.”
According to Russian officials, the bombings occurred outside Kabul’s international airport. Large crowds of Afghan refugees had gathered there. In the final days of an airlift, Western nations warned of a possible attack on the airport.
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LONDON — An ex-Royal Marine who ran an animal shelter in Afghanistan claims that he and his staff were caught in the aftermath of the explosion at the Kabul airport.
Paul Farthing claimed that the group was at the airport when the blast took place on Thursday.
He told Britain’s Press Association news agency that “we’re fine, but everything is chaotic at the moment.” “All of a sudden, we heard gunshots. Our vehicle was targeted. Had our driver not turned around, he would have been shot in his head by an AK-47-wielding man.
He said, “We’ve been to the airport and back out of it; the whole thing is a mess.”
Farthing and his Nowzad charity staff are trying to leave Afghanistan with their rescued animals. As they attempt to fly out, they are stuck outside Kabul’s international airport.
As reports surfaced of suicide bombings at the airport, he spoke to them. The attacks killed at least 13 and injured another 15. Officials from the United States have stated that American personnel were injured in the blast but did not elaborate.
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DUBLIN — The French President Emmanuel Macron stated that “the situation has seriously deteriorated near Kabul Airport” after “several explosives occurred in the last hour.”
Macron spoke at a news conference in Dublin, Ireland during his visit. He said that “we are facing an extremely stressful situation that requires us to coordinate obviously with our American Allies and call for utmost precaution in a context which we don’t control.”
He said that France would seek to evacuate French nationals and people from allies countries, as long as conditions are met at the airport.
Macron stated that he didn’t have any additional details on the circumstances of the explosions.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, there were two suicide bombings at Kabul Airport on Thursday that left at least 13 dead and injured 15. Officials from the United States have stated that American personnel were injured in the blast.
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MOSCOW — 360 Russian citizens were flown home from Kabul by the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan.
Dmitry Zhirnov, Ambassador of Russia, stated in televised remarks that all Russians who wanted Afghanistan to be left were returned home on Thursday aboard four Russian Defense Ministry aircrafts. He stated that the planes had evacuated 38 citizens from other ex-Soviet countries along with 360 Russians.
Zhirnov stated that the embassy is now trying to assist a few Russians who are unable to leave because of logistical reasons. He said that around 100 Russians still living in Afghanistan don’t want to leave.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the flights were organized by the Taliban and the United States. The United States controls Afghanistan’s airspace. Ambassador said that Russian diplomats are working in Kabul to assist about 400 Afghan students who have been enrolled at Russian universities to travel to Russia to study.
He stated that the embassy keeps close contact with the Taliban.
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WASHINGTON — Ross Wilson, the acting U.S. Ambassador to Kabul, stated that the Kabul security threat overnight was “clearly considered credible, imminent, and compelling.”
In an interview on Thursday with ABC News, he refused to give any details and didn’t say if the threat was still there.
Wilson said that there are still “safe ways” for Americans in order to get to the airport for evacuation. Wilson stated that “there will undoubtedly be” Afghans who worked for or with the U.S. in Afghanistan and will not be able get out of the airport before the U.S.-led evacuation is over.
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TORONTO — Canada has stopped evacuations from Kabul’s Airport, a Canadian general announced Thursday. This comes as dramatic Western efforts to aid people fleeing the Taliban takeover are in decline.
General Wayne Eyre of the United States, acting chief of Defense Staff, stated that all other countries must leave the airport before the Americans can complete their mission. About 3,700 people were evacuated by Canadian military aircraft.
“We stayed as long as possible in Afghanistan. We were the last to stop evacuation operations. We wish we could have stayed more and helped everyone who wanted to go. It is heartbreaking that we couldn’t save everyone, but the situation on the ground quickly deteriorated,” Eyre stated.
U.S. President Joe Biden said that he will not change his Aug. 31 deadline to complete the U.S. withdrawal as the Taliban demanded. He also increased pressure on Kabul’s already dangerous airlift to evacuate as many people as possible over the next few days.
Canada and its European allies tried to get more time, but were unsuccessful.
Canada is among many countries participating in the evacuation of refugees fleeing Taliban reprisals at Kabul’s international airport. More than 1,000 refugees are currently in Canada. Canada plans to resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees.
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BERLIN — Germany’s defense Minister says terrorist threats in Kabul are “significantly more concrete” with the international evacuation effort to evacuate the Afghan capital from the airport.
Annegret KrampKarrenbauer, Defense Minister, stated on Thursday that the effort was “now in the most hectic and dangerous phase.” We are aware that terror threats have increased in intensity and have become more concrete.
According to her, the German foreign ministry advised Kabulans that they shouldn’t attempt to travel to the airport alone overnight. This was in keeping with U.S. warnings and others.
On Thursday, the German military flew between Kabul (Uzbekistan) and Tashkent (Uzbekistan). It was not immediately clear when the German evacuation efforts would be completed.
German military chief Gen. Eberhard Zorn stated that German aircraft had evacuated approximately 5,200 people from 45 countries, including 4,200 Afghans, as of Thursday afternoon.
Zorn stated that two small German helicopters, which were brought into Kabul several days ago to assist people, were taken to Tashkent over night.
