The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday morning that one of Kabul Airport entry gates was hit by a large explosion hours after western intelligence agencies warned of an impending terrorist threat.
According to a US official, American service members, possibly two or three, were among those injured in the Kabul airport bombing on Thursday morning.
Insider Paper reports: According to two US officials, an explosion was reported outside Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday.
According to three US officials, the blast occurred at one of the airport’s entry gates and appears to be a suicide attack. Crowds of Afghans have gathered at the airport’s gates, attempting to gain entry.
According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, there was an explosion outside the airport. “We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” he said in a tweet.
Earlier on Thursday, US officials stated that security concerns around the airport had increased due to “a very specific threat stream.”
Amb. Ross Wilson, the top US diplomat in Kabul, said Thursday that he couldn’t get into the specifics of the security threat outside the Kabul airport gates cited in an embassy alert, but that “it was clearly regarded as credible, as imminent, as compelling.”
According to a White House official, US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the explosion outside Kabul airport.
#BREAKING;At least 13 killed in suicide bombing at #Kabulairport #Kabul pic.twitter.com/Xgou3jGZn8
— Pratap Singh Journalist (@Pratapsinghstv) August 26, 2021
Just been at Kabul airport.. heard a second explosion, heavy smoke and constant gunfire. Witness tells me colleague there are injured and dead at Abbey Gate of Kabul airport. Ambulances raced past us…
— Charlotte Bellis (@CharlotteBellis) August 26, 2021
Trump defeated ISIS, Biden is bringing them back to help him defeat America:
Dozens reported injured in the attack at Kabul airport.
ISIS-K has claimed responsibility. pic.twitter.com/alTEDG9uGq— Old Man Wizard (@OldManWizard3) August 26, 2021
More photos from Kabul airport blast pic.twitter.com/BF0bij18tm
— Tajuden Soroush (@TajudenSoroush) August 26, 2021
The article includes updates in this developing story:
UPDATE 10:37 EST: A Taliban official says 13 people have died including children and many Taliban guards have been injured in bomb blast (suicide bombing) outside Kabul’s airport.
State Department says initial reports suggest at least four U.S. service personnel have been wounded in explosion outside of Kabul Airport.
UPDATE 10:15 EST: According to Reuters, a US official says initial reports indicate that American service members, possibly two or three, were among those injured in the Kabul airport bombing.
As per WSJ, US Marines are injured in the bomb blast.
Videos posted on social media after the Kabul airport explosion show multiple injured people.
Fox News and journalists from multiple media outlets are reporting a second explosion in Kabul.
Warning! Disturbing and highly graphic content.
GRAPHIC: Video shows the aftermath of #Kabul airport bombing. pic.twitter.com/DXjOui89VF
— Shahid Wani 🕊 (@shahidjourno19) August 26, 2021