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US President Joe Biden responds in a minute’s silence for the dead as he delivers remarks on Afghanistan from the East Room of the White House in Washington, United States, August 26, 2021. REUTERS / Jonathan Ernst
US President Joe Biden has vowed to retaliate against Thursday’s attack in Kabul, saying he will hunt down those responsible and make them pay.
Biden confirmed in a speech by the White House on Thursday that the bombings were carried out by ISIS in Khorasan province, ISKP (ISIS-K), ISIL’s affiliate in Afghanistan.
The attack killed dozens of people, including Afghan civilians and at least 13 US servicemen.
It is believed to be the highest number of U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan in a single incident since 30 people died when a helicopter was shot down in August 2011.
“To those who carried out this attack, as well as to all those who wish America harm on America, know this: We will not forgive; we will not forget, ”Biden said.
“We’re going to hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests in our people with all the measures at my disposal. “
Biden added that the United States will continue with evacuations of American citizens and American allies despite the attack. “We will not be deterred by terrorists; we won’t let them stop our mission. We will continue with the evacuations, ”he said.
The US military had not been killed in action in Afghanistan since February 2020.
Biden had postponed his commitments for the day, including a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, to focus on the situation in Afghanistan.
General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, confirmed earlier Thursday that the airlifts will not stop after the attack.
“Our mission is to evacuate US citizens, third country nationals, special immigrant visa holders, US Embassy staff and Afghans at risk,” McKenzie said. “Despite this attack, we are continuing the mission.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, the top US general, also said the US military remains “focused and unwavering on this mission.”
“These brave men and women take risks to save the lives of vulnerable people and protect Americans,” Milley said. “They have moved over 100,000 people to safety. I couldn’t be prouder of their service. They gave their lives to save others; there is no higher noble call.
In Washington, politicians from both main parties condemned the attack, with Republicans targeting Biden over the pullout decision.
Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, called for Biden’s resignation.
“To say that today’s loss of American lives in Kabul is disgusting doesn’t begin to do justice to what happened,” Hawley wrote on Twitter.
“It’s annoying. And Joe Biden is responsible. It is now clear, beyond any doubt, that he has neither the capacity nor the will to lead.
Kevin McCarthy, the Republican leader in the House of Representatives, said enemies of the United States were taking advantage of the “chaotic nature of Biden’s withdrawal.”
He called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to summon Congress to “ban the withdrawal of our troops until all Americans are out unharmed.”
Horrible. Our enemies took advantage of the chaotic nature of Biden’s withdrawal.
President Pelosi must bring Congress back by August 31 so that we can be fully briefed by the administration and prohibit the withdrawal of our troops until every American is out safely.
– Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) August 26, 2021
US troops are expected to withdraw by the end of the month, and the administration says it is “on track” to evacuate all Americans by August 31.
For his part, Pelosi called on the White House to keep lawmakers involved in dealing with the situation.
“As we work with the Biden administration to stabilize the situation, Congress must continue to be closely briefed, which is why I have asked that the executive branch continue to brief members,” Pelosi said in a statement. .
“At the same time, our jurisdictional committees will continue to hold briefings on Afghanistan.
Progressive Democrat MP Ilhan Omar called for stepping up evacuations after the attack.
Today’s terrorist attack on the Afghans and the US military was horrific, another reminder of the terror that the Afghan people continue to face.
Now is the time to redouble evacuation efforts and do everything possible to get those most at risk out.
– Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 26, 2021
ISKP claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement identifying the suicide bomber by name and calling the Taliban “apostates”.
McKenzie said US forces are coordinating with the Taliban to deal with the “extremely real” threat of ISKP attacks.
But earlier today Bob Menendez, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned against relying on the Taliban.
“As we await more details, one thing is clear: we cannot trust the Taliban for the safety of Americans,” Menendez wrote on Twitter.
Biden defended coordination with the Taliban in his speech Thursday, saying the relationship with the group is one of convenience, not one of trust.
“It is in their best interests that we leave when we said it, and that we take out as many people as possible,” said the US president.
He also reiterated his defense of the withdrawal decision. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Biden said, “it was time to end a 20-year war.”
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