US troops are bracing for more attacks by ISIS after at least 90 people lost their lives outside Kabul airport at the hands of at least one Islamic State (ISIS) suicide bomber, Reuters reports.
On Thursday, August 26, two explosions and gunfire led to carnage outside the gates of the airport as thousands of Afghans attempted to flee the country after the Taliban seized control earlier this month. Of the 85 people who were killed in the attack, 13 were US soldiers.
Per Reuters, ISIS stated that one of its suicide bombers targeted "translators and collaborators with the American army".
According to the outlet, it is unclear whether the suicide bombers detonated both of the explosions or if one had been a planted bomb.
It has also not been determined whether or not the gunfire was caused by ISIS fighters or if Taliban guards had opened fire into the air in order to control the mayhem.
Following the attack, General Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, said US commanders were looking out for more attacks by ISIS.
"We're doing everything we can to be prepared," he said, before explaining that some intelligence has been shared with the Taliban and that he believed "some attacks have been thwarted by them."
In remarks at the White following the deadly explosions, President Joe Biden said he had ordered the Pentagon "to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership, and facilities." ISIS-K, an affiliate of ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attack yesterday.
"We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," Biden said.
US military commanders are aiming to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan by Biden's deadline of Tuesday, August 31 after a 20-year conflict.
Earlier this week, the president said the US is "on pace" for the country's troops to leave Afghanistan by the end of August despite the desperation of thousands of Afghans who hope to be evacuated - as well as calls to extend the deadline.
The decision came after the Taliban warned there would be "consequences" if the US troops stayed in Afghanistan past Biden's self-imposed deadline.
As part of a televised address at the White House on Tuesday, August 24, Biden said: "We are currently on pace to finish by August the 31st. The sooner we finish, the better. Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops."
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