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Early Thursday morning, a British Armed Forces minister and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued a security warning asking Americans to leave the airport immediately.
British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey stated, “There is now very, very credible reporting of an imminent attack”. Heappey warned the attack could happen within hours.
An alert from the U.S. Embassy said “U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately”.
Later Thursday it was confirmed that two explosions occurred near the airport as evacuation efforts continued.
Two U.S. officials said at least one of the explosions may be from a suicide bombing.
At least three U.S. troops were injured in the explosions and Taliban officials reported at least 13 dead, including children. The number injured is unknown and the death toll is expected to rise.
ISIS-K is suspected to be involved in the strategic attacks. Reports have claimed the terrorist organization has been fighting with the Taliban around Afghanistan.
Early reports indicate one of the explosions was caused by at least one suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest. One man who was approximately 30 feet from the explosion stated, “We fell to the ground and the foreign soldiers started shooting. There were bodies everywhere, people were running”.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby and Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor are expected to speak at a press briefing later Thursday.
