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2021 Kabul airport attack

Coordinates: 34°33′31.46″N 69°13′13.08″E / 34.5587389°N 69.2203000°E / 34.5587389; 69.2203000
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2021 Kabul airport attacks
The United States Air Force at Hamid Karzai International Airport during evacuations
Map
LocationHamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan
Baron Hotel, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°33′31.46″N 69°13′13.08″E / 34.5587389°N 69.2203000°E / 34.5587389; 69.2203000
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]
Deaths103[3]
Injured200+[4]
Perpetrators Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province[5][6]
AssailantAbd al-Rahman al-Logari

On 26 August 2021 at 17:50 local time (13:20 UTC),[7] during the evacuation from Afghanistan, a suicide bombing occurred near Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Shortly after, a second bombing occurred several dozen metres away.[1][8][9][10] At least 103 people were killed in the attacks, including 13 US service members,[11][12] who were the first American military casualties in Afghanistan since February 2020.[13]

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.[14] 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.[15] Hours before the attack, US diplomats in Kabul warned American citizens to leave the airport due to security threats.[16] United Kingdom Armed Forces Minister James Heappey had also warned of a highly credible threat of attack at Kabul airport by Islamic State militants.[17][18] Embassies from United States, United Kingdom, and Australia also warned about high security threats on the airport.[19]

US President Joe Biden reportedly received multiple reports of a possible attack during the week preceding the attack.[20]

Attacks

Amid the 2021 evacuation of Afghanistan, a crowd of local and foreign civilians had fled to the airport to evacuate.[21] At Abbey Gate, one of the gates leading into the airport, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive. After the explosion, gunfire erupted, and all gates at the airport were closed.[22][23] A second explosion occurred at Baron Gate, named after the nearby Baron Hotel in Kabul.[24][25] The Baron Hotel has been used as a gathering point for American citizens for rescue and evacuation. The hotel has also served as a processing center for Afghan people fleeing the country to escape Taliban control. The owner said that it was the first attack ever at the Baron Hotel. While the blast at the hotel was powerful, no casualties were reported. All the victims died during the first blast.[26]

Victims

At least 103 people were killed during the attack, including at least 62 Afghan civilians, 28 Taliban members and 13 US service members.[3] At least 200 more people were injured,[4] including 18 US military personnel and more Taliban members.[27][28] The dead Americans were identified as 12 Marines and one Navy corpsman.[4][11] 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.[29]

Responsibility

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.[5][30]

ISIS-K reportedly has strong connections with the Haqqani network, which is linked to the Taliban. ISIS-K and the Taliban are, however, enemies that have been involved in a long, deadly conflict. The leader of the Haqqani network, Khalil Haqqani, is currently in charge of security in Kabul.[31][32] He has helped ISIS-K conduct several major attacks between 2019 and 2021. A number of ISIS-K militants were reportedly released by the Taliban on 15 August from Pul-e-Charkhi prison, along with all the other prisoners there.[32]

Reactions

Through a tweet by their spokesperson, the Taliban condemned the attack, saying "evil circles will be strictly stopped".[33][34]

Abdullah Abdullah, former Chief Executive of Afghanistan and current National Coalition of Afghanistan leader, condemned the attack.[35]

U.S. President Joe Biden made a public address following the attacks. He honored the American service members who were killed in the attacks, calling them "heroes" and saying they lost their lives "in the service of liberty", and stated that the U.S. 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."[36] The government of the United Kingdom also said that they will continue Operation Pitting, the evacuation from Afghanistan.[37]

Several other nations expressed condemnation for the Kabul airport attacks and solidarity with the victims and troops conducting evacuations at the airport.[Notes 1] The European Commission[52] and the United Nations[53] likewise condemned the attacks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel cancelled an upcoming trip to Israel, and will stay in Germany to monitor the evacuation of German troops.[54] Biden also rescheduled a meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett due to the attacks.[36][55] The United Kingdom said civilian evacuations would continue in spite of the attacks.[37]

Notes

  1. ^ Including Australia,[38] Canada,[39] Denmark,[40] Finland,[41] France,[42] India,[43] Indonesia,[44] Israel,[45] Norway,[46] Poland,[47] Russia,[48] Turkey,[49] Ukraine,[50] the United Kingdom,[37][51] and the United States[36]

References

  1. ^ a b "Officials: Explosion at Kabul airport appears to be a suicide attack". CNN. 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. 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 Trofimov, Yaroslav; Youssef, Nancy A.; Engel Rasmussen, Sune (26 August 2021). "13 U.S. Troops, at Least 90 Afghans Killed in Kabul Blasts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Varshalomidze, Tamila; Siddiqui, Usaid; Regencia, Ted (26 August 2021). "Taliban says several killed in explosions outside Kabul airport". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b "ISIS claims responsibility for suicide bombings in Kabul killing 12 US troops, over 70 civilians". 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Kabul airport attack". Reuters. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Kabul explosions: US service members and Afghan civilians killed in Islamic State suicide bombings". Euronews. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ^ Pasko, Simcha (26 August 2021). "Suicide bombing kills, injures several at Kabul airport". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  9. ^ Ross, Jamie; Rohrlich, Justin; Yousafzai, Sami; Ibrahim, Noor (26 August 2021). "Large Explosion Reported Outside Kabul Airport". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  10. ^ 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. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  11. ^ 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. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  12. ^ "LIVE: Lufthavnen i Kabul angrebet, flere amerikanske soldater er blandt de dræbte". DR (in Danish). 26 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Afghanistan: US to complete evacuations despite attack, says Biden". BBC News. 27 August 2021.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "US concerned about 'very specific threat stream' from ISIS-K against crowds outside Kabul airport". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Apparent suicide attack rocks Afghanistan evacuation as Biden's deadline looms". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  17. ^ Meredith, Sam (26 August 2021). "UK reports 'high threat' of terrorist attack at Kabul airport; U.S. urges people to stay away". CNBC. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  18. ^ Morris, Sophie. "Afghanistan: 'Very lethal attack' could occur at Kabul airport in matter of hours, minister says". Sky News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  19. ^ "US, UK, Australia warn of 'terror' threat at Kabul airport". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Biden warned of a potential attack in Kabul multiple times over past week". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Explosion outside Kabul airport, Pentagon confirms". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021.
  22. ^ "3 US Marines wounded in Kabul airport explosion". Fox News. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Kabul airport explosion described as 'complex attack'". 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  24. ^ "U.S. says two explosions near Kabul airport; Islamic State suspected". Reuters. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  25. ^ "Pentagon confirms second explosion near Kabul airport and "a number of US and civilian casualties"". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  26. ^ Aitken, Peter (26 August 2021). "Baron Hotel in Afghanistan: What we know". Fox News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Explosion outside Kabul airport". BBC. 25 August 2021.
  28. ^ "13 US service members killed in Kabul airport explosion, officials say: LIVE UPDATES". Fox News. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  29. ^ "U.S. braces for more ISIS attacks after carnage at Kabul airport". Reuters. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  30. ^ 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. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  31. ^ Latifi, Ali M. (22 August 2021). "'All Afghans' should feel safe under Taliban, says security chief". Al Jazeera English.
  32. ^ a b Gardner, Frank (26 August 2021). "Afghanistan crisis: Who are Isis-K?". BBC News.
  33. ^ "Taliban condemns suicide bombing at Kabul airport". Fox News. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  34. ^ Mujahid, Zabiullah [@Zabehulah_M33] (26 August 2021). "The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Abdullah Abdullah condemns airport attack". Al Jazeera. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  36. ^ a b c "Israeli PM and Biden postpone meeting because of Afghanistan". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  37. ^ a b c McGuinness, Alan. "Afghanistan: Boris Johnson says UK's evacuation operation will continue despite 'barbaric' Kabul attack". Sky News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  38. ^ Evans, Jake (27 August 2021). "Prime Minister Scott Morrison mourns deaths of 'American and Afghan friends' in Kabul airport attack". ABC News Australia. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  39. ^ Trudeau, Justin [@justintrudeau] (26 August 2021). "We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ 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.
  42. ^ Aitken, Peter (26 August 2021). "Afghanistan explosions: World leaders react". Fox News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  43. ^ "India condemns Kabul airport attack". Hindustan Times. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  44. ^ "Indonesia Kecam Ledakan dari Serangan Teroris di Bandara Kabul Afghanistan". Liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  45. ^ Lapid, Yair [@yairlapid] (26 August 2021). "I am shocked and saddened by the horrific terror attack in Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ 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.
  47. ^ 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.
  48. ^ 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.
  49. ^ Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu [@mevlutcavusoglu] (26 August 2021). "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives after today's attack in #Kabul" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  50. ^ 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.
  51. ^ "Biden warned of a potential attack in Kabul multiple times over past week". CNN. 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  52. ^ 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.
  53. ^ 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.
  54. ^ Laco, Kelly (26 August 2021). "Merkel cancels trip to Israel amid Afghanistan crisis, heightening fears of increasing instability in region". Fox News. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  55. ^ "Biden and Bennett speak on the phone following meeting delay". Ynet. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
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