12 U.S. Troops and 60 Afghans Killed in 'Heinous Attack' Outside Airport During Evacuation, Officials Say

Smoke rises from explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday.Photo: Wali Sabawoon/AP/Shutterstock

Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. confirmed the number of American troops killed during a Thursday afternoon press conference and said 15 others were wounded, along with civilians.

That toll represents one of the deadliest single days for American forces since the Afghanistan war, now in its final stages, began 20 years ago.

McKenzie, head of U.S. Central Command, said he did not have a confirmed casualty number for the Afghans. The Associated Pressreported, citing officials, that 60 were killed and another 140-plus were wounded.

The troops killed included 11 Marines and a Navy medic, according to the AP.

“Their loss weighs heavily on us all,” McKenzie told reporters.

He said a suicide bomber on Thursday struck the Abbey Gate, one of the entry points to Kabul’s airport, after which Islamic State gunmen opened fire on the military and civilians.

Asked how the assailants could have made it through the layers of security, McKenzie said, “It was a failure somewhere.”

He also stressed the “daily heroism” of American forces — Army, Navy, Marines — who have to physically screen the tens of thousands of people seeking to evacuate through the airport.

He said he did not know the size of the bomb used but suggested that could be responsible for the high number of casualties.

There was a second bombing at the Barron Hotel, which is not far from the airport and has been a focal point for those evacuating, McKenzie said.

But he also said the U.S.-led evacuation of American citizens, Afghan allies and refugees would not be deterred.

“Despite this attack, we are continuing the mission,” McKenzie said.

At a White House speech later Thursday, PresidentJoe Bidenvowed retaliation against the Islamic State fighters: “We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

“We’re outraged as well as heartbroken,” Biden said. He also led a moment of silence for the dead.

He subsequently took questions from reporters who pressed him on the strategy of the withdrawal and cited widespread criticism he has faced.

He reiterated that it was “time” to end the decades-long war that, in his words, no longer served a purpose.

A view after two explosions were reported outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Thursday.Sayed Khodaiberdi Sadat/Anadolu Agency via Getty

The Taliban, who recently took control of Afghanistan, has been coordinating with U.S. and coalition forces amid the evacuation and U.S.-led military withdrawal.

As of Thursday morning, the U.S. had evacuated or helped evacuate more than 90,000 people since the Taliban took power.

Before Thursday, officials increasingly warned of the dangers of Islamic State fighters opposed to both the U.S. and the Taliban. McKenzie underlined that as he spoke with reporters while also noting the preventative measures he said U.S. forces were taking to curb more losses.

The off-shoot isalso known as ISIS-K, referring to Khorasan, the historical geographic term the militants gave themselves.

A man at the scene told the AP there was an explosion in a crowd of people outside the coalition-controlled airport.

Throngs of refugees have gathered theresince the fall of the country’s governmentin mid-August, seeking to flee.

On Wednesday the U.S. Embassytold Americans to stay awayfrom the airport unless instructed otherwise, citing a security threat, as European officials warned of intelligence of a possible suicide bombing.

America’s top diplomat in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, had said the threat warned of “was clearly regarded as credible, as imminent, as compelling.”

“Being part of these huge crowds that remain around the gates, entrances to the airport, is dangerous. We’re obviously concerned about our own people as well,” Wilson said,according to CNN.

If you would like to support those in need during the upheaval in Afghanistan, consider:

• Donating toUNICEFto aid Afghans in the country or

• Donating to theInternational Refugee Assistance Projectto help those fleeing.

source: people.com