Thirteen US service members and at least 90 Afghans were killed in a pair of bombing attacks outside the airport in Kabul where thousands of people had gathered in recent days to escape Taliban rule. Right after the explosions, gunmen opened fire on service members and civilians. At least 140 people were injured in the attack, including 18 US service members. US officials had warned that the chaotic and violent exit from Afghanistan could make the area vulnerable to renewed terrorist activity, and Biden said the risk of an attack was one of the reasons he was adhering to the August 31 withdrawal deadline, despite the deteriorating situation on the ground.
Who is behind it: ISIS in Khorasan, known as ISIS-K, claimed that an ISIS militant carried out the suicide attack but has not provided evidence to support the claim. This branch of the ISIS terror group first emerged in Syria and Iraq, and Afghanistan-based cells have been carrying out devastating suicide attacks in the country since 2016. The group is a sworn enemy of the Taliban. In the hours and days before the attack, US officials said they were aware of a “very specific threat stream” from the group. At the time, US diplomats ordered all Americans away from some airport gates.
What the situation on the ground is like now: The US is pressing forward with evacuations, including the roughly 1,000 Americans still in Afghanistan. Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, head of US Central Command, says there are still “extremely active threat streams against the airfield.” He also says the US military is using attack helicopters and other aircraft to defend the airport. Biden said he would authorize whatever military leaders need, including more troops, to complete the mission. Meanwhile, scenes of carnage, rescue and grief continue to unfold in the attacks’ aftermath.
What comes next: The attack has focused more scrutiny on Biden, who was already being criticized for what some considered a hasty and disorganized exit from Afghanistan. Republican adversaries have vowed Biden will face a “reckoning” over the attack. Biden defended his decision to stick to the troop withdrawal timeline and his withdrawal plan in general, saying, “It was time to end a 20-year war.” More existential questions lie ahead, like what the US’ moral obligation is to an Afghanistan left vulnerable to terrorism and how the US should recognize the rising Taliban rule there.
About the author: Scott Bernstein is the CEO of Global Security International. A worldwide organization that combats terrorism domestically and globally. He has extensive experience as a counter-terrorist Operative and organized crime Intelligence Operative. He is also a Military and Law Enforcement Trainer. He is an author and available as a Consultant and keynote Speaker. In addition to his LinkedIn profile, you can also interact with Scott on his LinkedIn group http://bit.ly/1LMp2hj.
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