Photo: Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
In a speech from the White House, Biden, 78,addressedthe “evolving” situation, saying that he was “constantly being updated” as he called the Americans who died “heroes” — “Heroes who have been engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others.”
Officials say 13 U.S. service members and dozens of Afghans were killed in the “heinous attack” outside Kabul’s airport.
Large crowds have for weeks gathered around the airport as tens of thousands of people are being evacuated amid the American military withdrawal and Taliban takeover.
In his speech, President Biden lauded the service members as “part of the bravest, most capable and the most selfless military on the face of the Earth. And they were part of, simply, what I call the ‘backbone of America.’ They’re the spine of America, the best the country has to offer.”
He offered condolences from himself and his wife, First LadyDr. Jill Biden, and led a moment of silence for the victims.
Directing his message to those responsible — believed to be a branch of the Islamic State opposed to the U.S. and the Taliban — as well as “anyone who wishes America harm,” the president warned:
“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.”
The White House subsequently said Friday morning that another 12,500 people had left the country through the airport between Thursday and Friday morning.
The U.S.-led evacuation, after initially facing widespread criticism as too slow and clumsy, expanded rapidly since mid-August, which officials have touted as an enormous logistical feat.
Smoke rises from explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday.Wali Sabawoon/AP/Shutterstock
On Thursday afternoon, shortly before Biden’s speech, Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. said during apress conferencethat the military had been bracing for an attack and was prepared for future violence — but that would not stop them from more evacuations.
McKenzie said then that a suicide bomber had struck the Abbey Gate, one of the entry points to Kabul’s airport, after which Islamic State gunmen opened fire on the military and civilians.
Asked how the assailants could have made it through the layers of security, McKenzie — who is head of U.S. Central Command — said, “It was a failure somewhere.”
McKenzie also confirmed the number of American troops killed during the press conference and said 15 others were wounded, along with civilians. The troops killed included 11 Marines and a Navy medic, according to theAssociated Press.
The death toll waslater revisedto 13 service members. Military officials on Friday also corrected earlier statements of a second bombing. They said they now believed there was just one bombing.
Thursday’s attack was one of the deadliest single days for American forces since the Afghanistan war, now in its final stages, began 20 years ago.
McKenzie, on Thursday, said he did not have a confirmed casualty number for the Afghans. Citing officials, the AP reported that at least 60 were killed and another 140-plus were wounded.
MARCUS YAM / LOS ANGELES TIMES via Getty
During his Thursday press conference, McKenzie also explained preventative steps that are being taken while the evacuation from the country continues.
“Despite this attack, we are continuing the mission … and, as of today, we have approximately 5,000 evacuees on the ramp at [Kabul airport] awaiting airlift,” McKenzie said.
He then said that there were “probably a little more than a thousand American citizens left Afghanistan at this point.”
“We are doing everything we can in concert with our Department of State partners to reach out to them and to help them leave if they want to leave,” he said.
If you would like to support those in need during the upheaval in Afghanistan, consider:
Donating toUNICEFto aid Afghans in the country or
Donating to theInternational Refugee Assistance Projectto help those fleeing.
source: people.com
