Jump to content

2021 Kabul airport attack

Coordinates: 34°33′31″N 69°13′13″E / 34.55861°N 69.22028°E / 34.55861; 69.22028
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Hexakaidecanitarian (talk | contribs) at 08:41, 28 August 2021 (→US airstrike: Simple grammar fix.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2021 Kabul airport attack
The United States Air Force at Hamid Karzai International Airport during evacuations
Map
LocationHamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°33′31″N 69°13′13″E / 34.55861°N 69.22028°E / 34.55861; 69.22028
Date26 August 2021 (2021-08-26)
17:50 (UTC+04:30)
TargetAfghan civilians, foreign troops, and Taliban members
Attack type
Suicide bombing, Mass shooting[1][2]
Deaths182+[3]
Injured150+[4][5]
Perpetrators Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province[6][7]
AssailantAbd al-Rahman al-Logari

The 2021 Kabul airport attack was a suicide bombing near Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan that took place on 26 August 2021 at 17:50 local time (13:20 UTC),[8] during the evacuation from Afghanistan.[1][9][10][11] At least 182 people were killed in the attack,[3] including 13 members of the United States military,[12][4] who were the first American military casualties in Afghanistan since February 2020.[13] The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - Khorasan Province (ISIL-KP) claimed responsibility for the attack.[14]

Background

Further information: 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan

After Afghanistan fell to Taliban control on 15 August 2021, Hamid Karzai International Airport became the only secure way out of Afghanistan.[15] Security concerns grew after hundreds of members of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) escaped from jails at Bagram and Pul-e-Charkhi.[16] On August 16th, the Pentagon warned the U.S. Congress about the increased threat of a terrorist attack from IS following the fall of Kubul the day previous.[17][18] US President Joe Biden received multiple reports of a possible attack during the week preceding the attack,[19] and warned on August 22nd in remarks from the White House that the longer U.S. troops remained in the country, the greater the threat posed by IS became to U.S. personnel and civilians near the Hamid Karzai International Airport.[20]

Hours before the attack, US diplomats in Kabul warned American citizens to leave the airport because of security threats.[21] United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister James Heappey had also warned of a highly credible threat of attack at Kabul airport by Islamic State militants.[22][23] Embassies from United States, United Kingdom, and Australia also warned about high security threats on the airport.[24]

Attack

Amid the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan, a crowd of local and foreign civilians had fled to the airport to evacuate.[25] At Abbey Gate, one of the gates leading into the airport, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive.[26] After the explosion, gunfire erupted, and all gates to the airport were closed.[27][28]

The explosion occurred by a canal with American forces on one side; checking evacuees passports, visas and other documentation before allowing them inside the airport. An eyewitness stated that the explosion felt as if someone pulled the ground from under his feet, and saw other evacuees thrown in the air by the force of the blast.[29]

Initial reports erroneously stated that a second explosion had taken place near the close-by Baron Hotel.[30][31] The following day, it was confirmed that there was no such second explosion.[32]

Victims

At least 182 people were killed during the attack including 13 US service members, 169 Afghans of whom two were British dual-nationals and one was the child of a British national.[3][33] It was initially reported that 28 Taliban fighters had perished in the attack as well, but this was later denied by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid in an interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.[34] The dead Americans were identified as ten marines, two soldiers, and one Navy corpsman.[5][12][35] The US deaths were the first US service deaths in Afghanistan since February 2020 and were the largest single loss of life of US military personnel since the 2011 Afghanistan Boeing Chinook shootdown.[36]

At least 150 more people were injured,[4] including 18 US military personnel and a number of Taliban members.[37]

Perpetrators

The attack was carried out by ISIS-K, who released a statement in which they claimed responsibility for the attack and named the suicide bomber.[6][38]

The Taliban and ISIS-K, despite both being jihadist groups, are enemies and have fought a bloody war among each other.[39][40] General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., head of the US Central Command, denied the possibility that the Taliban were involved in the attack.[41]

Reactions

Through a tweet by their spokesperson, the Taliban condemned the attack, saying "evil circles will be strictly stopped".[42] The Taliban later announced that they would take every possible measure to capture ISIS-K leader Shahab al-Muhajir.[43]

Abdullah Abdullah, former Chief Executive of Afghanistan and current National Coalition of Afghanistan leader, condemned the attack.[44] Some civilians claimed to reporters that the attack had strengthened their resolve to evacuate from the country in fear of more attacks.[45]

US President Joe Biden made a public address following the attack. He honored the American service members who were killed, calling them "heroes" and saying they lost their lives "in the service of liberty", and stated that the US had evacuated more than 100,000 Americans, Afghans, and others. He expressed deep sorrow for the Afghan victims as well. Biden said to those who wished harm upon the US that "we will hunt you down and make you pay."[46] The government of the United Kingdom also said that they will continue Operation Pitting, the evacuation from Afghanistan.[47]

Many nations expressed condemnation for the Kabul airport attack and solidarity with the victims and troops conducting evacuations at the airport.[Notes 1] The European Commission[67] and the United Nations[68] likewise condemned the attack. German Chancellor Angela Merkel cancelled an upcoming trip to Israel, and will stay in Germany to monitor the evacuation of German troops.[69] Biden also rescheduled a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett because of the attack.[46][70] The United Kingdom said civilian evacuations would continue in spite of the attack.[47]

US airstrike

On 27 August, the United States launched an airstrike against an ISIS-K member in Nangarhar Province. According to the defense officials, the strike was carried out by an MQ-9 Reaper drone with guided munitions to minimize civilian casualties. Defense officials familiar with the strike told NBC news that the ISIS-K planner was riding in a vehicle with one associate moments before the strike began.[71] The person killed is believed to be responsible for planning the Kabul airport attack.[72]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Including Australia,[48] Canada,[49] China,[50] Denmark,[51] Finland,[52] France,[53] India,[54] Indonesia,[55] Iran,[56] Israel,[57] Kazakhstan,[58] New Zealand,[59] Norway,[60] Poland,[61] Romania,[62] Russia,[63] Turkey,[64] Ukraine,[65] the United Kingdom,[47][66] and the United States[46]

References

  1. ^ a b "Officials: Explosion at Kabul airport appears to be a suicide attack". CNN. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  2. ^ Seligman, Laura; Ward, Alexander; Desiderio, Andrew; Lippman, Daniel; McLeary, Paul. "13 U.S. troops killed in ISIS attacks on Kabul airport". Politico. Capitol News Company, LLC. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021. An ISIS militant wearing a suicide vest was responsible for the first bombing, two U.S. officials and a person familiar with the matter told POLITICO, detonating around 5 p.m. local time just outside Abbey Gate. ISIS gunmen then opened fire on the crowd. Three sources said U.S. troops returned fire soon after.
  3. ^ a b c "US forces keep up Kabul airlift under threat of more attacks". Associated Press. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Kabul airport attack: What do we know?". BBC News. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b Varshalomidze, Tamila; Siddiqui, Usaid; Regencia, Ted (26 August 2021). "Taliban says several killed in explosions outside Kabul airport". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  6. ^ a b "ISIS claims responsibility for suicide bombings in Kabul killing 12 US troops, over 70 civilians". 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Kabul airport attack". Reuters. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Kabul explosions: US service members and Afghan civilians killed in Islamic State suicide bombings". Euronews. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  9. ^ Pasko, Simcha (26 August 2021). "Suicide bombing kills, injures several at Kabul airport". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  10. ^ Ross, Jamie; Rohrlich, Justin; Yousafzai, Sami; Ibrahim, Noor (26 August 2021). "Large Explosion Reported Outside Kabul Airport". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  11. ^ Kottasová, Ivana; Starr, Barbara; Atwood, Kylie; Walsh, Nick Paton; Kiley, Sam; Cohen, Zachary; Hansler, Jennifer; Lister, Tim (26 August 2021). "Blast reported outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b Trofimov, Yaroslav; Youssef, Nancy A.; Rasmussen, Sune Engel (26 August 2021). "Kabul Airport Attack Kills 13 U.S. Service Members, at Least 90 Afghans". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Afghanistan: US to complete evacuations despite attack, says Biden". BBC News. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  14. ^ Morin, Matthew Brown, Joey Garrison, Tom Vanden Brook, Josh Meyer, Courtney Subramanian and Rebecca. "Latest from Afghanistan: Biden: 'We will not forgive'; Navy confirms 13th US service member killed in Kabul". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "Taliban Fighters Enter Kabul As Helicopters Land At U.S. Embassy". NPR. The Associated Press. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  16. ^ "US concerned about 'very specific threat stream' from ISIS-K against crowds outside Kabul airport". CNN. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  17. ^ Seligman, Lara (24 August 2021). "ISIS terrorist threats jeopardize Afghanistan evacuation, Pentagon assessment warns". The Politico. Axel Springer SE. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  18. ^ Seligman, Lara (16 August 2021). "Pentagon warns of worsening terrorist threat as Taliban seize Afghanistan". The Politico. Axel Spinger SE. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Biden warned of a potential attack in Kabul multiple times over past week". CNN. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  20. ^ "The Latest: Biden warns of IS threat to Kabul evacuation". The Associated Press. Walt Disney Television. ABC News. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  21. ^ Collinson, Stephen (26 August 2021). "Apparent suicide attack rocks Afghanistan evacuation as Biden's deadline looms". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  22. ^ Meredith, Sam (26 August 2021). "UK reports 'high threat' of terrorist attack at Kabul airport; U.S. urges people to stay away". CNBC. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  23. ^ Morris, Sophie. "Afghanistan: 'Very lethal attack' could occur at Kabul airport in matter of hours, minister says". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  24. ^ "US, UK, Australia warn of 'terror' threat at Kabul airport". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Explosion outside Kabul airport, Pentagon confirms". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  26. ^ Seligman, Lara (26 August 2021). "13 U.S. troops killed in ISIS attacks on Kabul airport". POLITICO. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  27. ^ "3 US Marines wounded in Kabul airport explosion". Fox News. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  28. ^ "Kabul airport explosion described as 'complex attack'". CNN. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  29. ^ Mark, Moore (26 August 2021). "Kabul airport suicide bombing witness says young girl died in his arms". New York Post. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  30. ^ "U.S. says two explosions near Kabul airport; Islamic State suspected". Reuters. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Pentagon confirms second explosion near Kabul airport and "a number of US and civilian casualties"". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Pentagon says Kabul attack carried out by one suicide bomber". Reuters. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  33. ^ "British victims of Kabul terror attack: Foreign Secretary's statement". Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Taliban Denies Fighters Killed In Kabul Airport Attack". RFE/RL. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  35. ^ Ivana Kottasová, Barbara Starr, Kylie Atwood, Nick Paton Walsh, Sam Kiley, Zachary Cohen, Amy Woodyatt, Jennifer Hansler and Nectar Gan (27 August 2021). "Evacuation from Afghanistan in final phase after deadly Kabul airport attack". cnn.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  36. ^ "U.S. braces for more ISIS attacks after carnage at Kabul airport". Reuters. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Kabul airport attack kills 60 Afghans, 13 US troops". Associated Press. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. ^ Brown, Matthew; Garrison, Joey; Vanden Brook, Tom; Mayer, Josh (26 August 2021). "Latest from Afghanistan: U.S. personnel among casualties after explosions at Kabul airport". USA Today. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  39. ^ "Dozens killed in clashes between rival Taliban factions in Afghanistan". The Guardian. 10 March 2016. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Taliban fought IS with 'limited' US military support, US general reveals". France 24. 10 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  41. ^ "CENTCOM Head: US Military and Taliban 'Share a Common Purpose,' Doesn't Believe Taliban Let Attack Happen". CNSNews.com. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  42. ^ "Taliban condemns suicide bombing at Kabul airport". Fox News. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  43. ^ Farmer, Ben (27 August 2021). "Ambitious new Isis-K leader becomes Taliban's most wanted enemy after Kabul attacks". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  44. ^ "Abdullah Abdullah condemns airport attack". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  45. ^ Hashemi, Sayed Ziarmal; Akhgar, Tameem; Gannon, Kathy; Anna, Cara; Press, Associated (27 August 2021). "Evacuations resume with new urgency after Kabul airport bombings as death toll now over 160". ABC7 Los Angeles. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  46. ^ a b c Madhani, Aamer. "Israeli PM and Biden postpone meeting because of Afghanistan". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  47. ^ a b c McGuinness, Alan. "Afghanistan: Boris Johnson says UK's evacuation operation will continue despite 'barbaric' Kabul attack". Sky News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  48. ^ Evans, Jake (27 August 2021). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison mourns deaths of 'American and Afghan friends' in Kabul airport attack". ABC News Australia. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  49. ^ Trudeau, Justin [@justintrudeau] (26 August 2021). "We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ China urges terrorist crackdown by Taliban, as Kabul deadly blasts exemplify US failure
  51. ^ Kofod, Jeppe [@JeppeKofod] (26 August 2021). "My deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed by the horrific and despicable terror attacks in Kabul. We pay tribute to the brave US troops who were killed and injured whilst helping to evacuate people out of #HKIA under extremely difficult circumstances" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  52. ^ Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland [@ulkoministerio] (26 August 2021). "FM @Haavisto: Deepest condolences to families and loved ones of victims and wounded in the terrorist attack in Kabul #HKIA A brutal attack against innocent civilians and those trying to help them" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Aitken, Peter (26 August 2021). "Afghanistan explosions: World leaders react". Fox News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  54. ^ "India condemns Kabul airport attack". Hindustan Times. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  55. ^ "Indonesia Kecam Ledakan dari Serangan Teroris di Bandara Kabul Afghanistan". Liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  56. ^ Mukthar, Ibrahim (27 August 2021). "Iran condemns Kabul airport attack". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  57. ^ Lapid, Yair [@yairlapid] (26 August 2021). "I am shocked and saddened by the horrific terror attack in Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  58. ^ Jomart-Tokayev, Qasym [@TokayevKZ] (27 August 2021). "On behalf of the people of Kazakhstan, I express our sincere condolences to President Biden and the American people on multiple casualties and injuries among the US service members caused by terrorist attack at the Kabul International Airport" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  59. ^ Small, Zane (27 August 2021). "Afghanistan: Jacinda Ardern condemns 'despicable attack' in Kabul as final Defence Force evacuee flight lands safely in UAE". newshub.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  60. ^ Søreide, Ine Eriksen [@NorwayMFA] (26 August 2021). "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack outside #Kabul airport. Innocent civilians trying to leave the country have become victims of this terrible act of cruelty. Our thoughts are with those affected, their families and loved ones. FM #EriksenSoreide" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  61. ^ Andrzej Duda [@AndrzejDuda] (26 August 2021). "I condemn in strongest terms the heinous attacks at Kabul airport that resulted in dozens of casualties, including US army soldiers, our Allies. My prayers go to the families of those affected by this act of cowardice. Poland stands with our US and Afghani friends" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  62. ^ Șelaru, Cristi (26 August 2021). "România este pe acceași lungime de undă cu talibanii: Condamnă atentatele din Kabul". stiripesurse.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  63. ^ Antonov, Anatoly [@RusEmbUSA] (26 August 2021). "#Antonov: I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the terrorist attack in #Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  64. ^ Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu [@mevlutcavusoglu] (26 August 2021). "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives after today's attack in #Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  65. ^ Zelensky, Volodymyr [@zelenskyyua] (26 August 2021). "Terrible terrorist attack in Kabul. Deepest condolences to the people of the US & Afghanistan, to the families of the victims" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  66. ^ "Biden warned of a potential attack in Kabul multiple times over past week". CNN. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  67. ^ von Der Leyen, Ursula [@vonderleyen] (26 August 2021). "I strongly condemn the cowardly and inhuman attacks on Kabul airport. It is essential to do everything to ensure the safety of people at the airport" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  68. ^ Guterres, António [@antonioguterres] (26 August 2021). "I'm following with grave concern the situation at Kabul's airport & strongly condemn today's horrific terrorist attack" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  69. ^ Laco, Kelly (26 August 2021). "Merkel cancels trip to Israel amid Afghanistan crisis, heightening fears of increasing instability in region". Fox News. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  70. ^ Eichner, Itamar (27 August 2021). "Biden and Bennett speak on the phone following meeting delay". Ynet. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  71. ^ "U.S. retaliates against ISIS with drone strike in Afghanistan". NBC News. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  72. ^ Burns, Robert. "US airstrike targets Islamic State member in Afghanistan". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2021_Kabul_airport_attack&oldid=1041055340"