Pentagon confirms there was a large explosion outside Kabul airport: they are assessing whether there were any casualties

The US military confirmed on Thursday that a major explosion occurred outside Kabul airport, where thousands of people have flocked to try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Western countries had warned of a possible attack on the site in recent days of a US-led mass evacuation.

“We can confirm an explosion outside the Kabul airport. The victims are unclear at the moment. We will provide further details when we can “Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

Two US officials said Reuters What the explosion occurred at one of the front doors and appears to be a suicide bombing.

Another US official told the agency that there were victims of the explosion, but he said the number of people injured was not clear. Among the injured were up to three US servicementhe official said, citing early information.

Photos and videos published by the local news agency Aśvaka they showed several people wounds while they were watched by passers-by and rescuers.

President Biden has been briefed on the explosionsaid a White House official.

The explosion occurs a few hours later several countries will urge people to avoid the airport, citing the threat of a suicide bombing. But with only a few days, or hours for some countries, before the evacuation effort was over, few seemed to hear the warning.

Over the past week, the airport was the scene of some of the most poignant images of the chaotic end of America’s longest war and the seizure of power by the Taliban, as flight after flight has taken flight carrying away those who fear a brutal return to the militants’ regime.

Some countries have already completed their evacuations and have started withdrawing their troops and diplomats., marking the beginning of the end of one of the greatest airlifts in history. Taliban pledged not to attack Western forces during evacuationBut they insist that foreign troops must leave before the self-imposed US deadline of August 31.

From night to morning, Warnings have emerged from Western capitals of a threat from affiliated Islamic State of Afghanistan, which probably saw its ranks swelling by the release of prisoners from the Taliban during their bombardments across the country.

The Minister of the British Armed Forces, James Heappeyhe said to BBC early Thursday there was “Very, very credible reports of an impending attack” at the airport, possibly in “hours”. The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexandre De Croo, said his country had received information from the United States and other countries on the “Threat of suicide attacks against the mass of the population.

The Acting U.S. Ambassador to Kabul, Ross wilson, said the security threat at Kabul airport overnight was “Clearly seen as credible, as imminent, as convincing.” But in an interview with ABC News did not provide details and did not say whether the threat persisted.

News in development …

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