‘We will complete our mission’, Biden says after deadly Kabul bombings claimed by IS group

Issued on: 26/08/2021 - 15:53

Medical and hospital staff bring an injured man on a stretcher for treatment after two powerful explosions, which killed at least six people, outside the airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021. © Wakil Kohsar, AFP

Text by: FRANCE 24 Follow

3 min

At least 72 Afghans and 13 US service members were killed Thursday in twin explosions outside Kabul's airport, where thousands of people have flocked as they try to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Western nations had warned of a possible attack there in the waning days of a massive airlift. FRANCE 24 provided minute-by-minute coverage of the aftermath of the attacks. Scroll through our liveblog below to revisit the events as they happened.

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At least 72 Afghans and 13 US service members were killed in the twin explosions. Scores more are reported to be injured.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
One blast occurred near the airport's Abbey Gate and the other close to the nearby Baron Hotel. Two US officials said at least one of the explosions appeared to be from a suicide bombing.
The blasts came as the August 31 deadline loomed for the United States to withdraw its troops, and for Western countries to end their massive airlifts.
Speaking from the White House, US President Joe Biden said of the perpetrators: “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” adding, “We will not be deterred by terrorists...We will complete our mission.”
Western nations had warned of an imminent terror threat as thousands of people gathered hoping for a flight out of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.