A look at the continued evacuations from Afghanistan, the drone strike that took out an “imminent” ISIS-K threat, and more.
Over the weekend, the U.S. carried out another strike in Kabul, while stateside President Biden mourned the 13 soldiers killed in last week’s airport bombing. Here’s the latest from Afghanistan:
A drone strike in Kabul
A U.S. military drone strike hit a vehicle loaded with explosives in Kabul on Sunday, just hours after President Biden had warned that another attack on the Afghan capital’s airport was “highly likely.” The target was an “imminent ISIS-K threat,” a spokesman for U.S. Central Command said. Nine members of a civilian family — including six children, one of whom was just two years old — were reportedly killed in the attack. U.S. Central Command is investigating the casualties. Two days earlier, another U.S. drone strike apparently killed two ISIS targets.
Rockets fired
As many as five rockets were fired on Kabul airport this morning, but were intercepted by the C-RAM defense system. No casualties have been reported. A U.S. official said the rockets were likely launched by ISIS-K, but added that it was too early to know for sure.
Paying his respects
President Biden honored the 13 U.S. service members killed in last week’s attack outside the Kabul airport at a ceremony Sunday. He stood at attention with his hand over his heart as the remains of the fallen were carried off a transport plane at Dover Air Force Base. Biden in a statement said the service members “were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others.”
Fleeing Afghanistan
The U.S. and 97 other nations said they would continue to take in those fleeing Afghanistan past Aug. 31, the deadline for all U.S. troops to depart. A joint statement released by the 98 countries and NATO said they had “received assurances from the Taliban” that safe passage would be given to people leaving. There are about 300 Americans still waiting to be evacuated, and the U.S. is “working to help them get to the airport, get on a plane and get out of Afghanistan,” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said.
