Twelve US service members and at least 60 Afghans have been killed in two bombing attacks outside Kabul’s airport, according to the Pentagon and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health.
The deadly blasts came as the United States and other Western countries raced to complete a massive evacuation of their citizens and Afghan allies following the Taliban takeover of the country.
An official with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health told CNN on Thursday that more than 60 Afghan people were dead and 140 wounded.
Fifteen US service members were injured in addition to the 12 dead, said Gen. Frank McKenzie, Commander of US Central Command.
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US President Joe Biden, speaking from the White House, called the troops “heroes.”
“Jill and I, our hearts ache, like I’m sure all of you do as well,” he said. “For all of those Afghan families who lost loved ones, including small children, or been wounded in this vicious attack, we’re outraged as well as heartbroken.”
Biden warned the perpetrators of the attack: “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
In previous days, the President had cited the risk of a terror attack among the reasons for getting US troops out of the country by August 31. He had also promised a swift and forceful response to any disruption to the operation.
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