Two explosions outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Thursday appear to have been carried out by suicide bombers from the Islamic State group. Dozens of people were killed and injured.
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Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed the explosions, saying one was a "complex attack" at an airport entry gate on the civilian side of the airport, and a second took place outside of a hotel near the airport. Kirby said a number of casualties include U.S. service members and civilians.
While Kirby didn't provide additional details, multiple reports say the explosions appear to be a suicide attack. A U.S. official said the Islamic State group is "definitely believed" to be responsible for the attack.
While Kirby didn't provide any additional details, multiple reports say the explosion appears to be a suicide attack.
The Russian Foreign Ministry says at least two people were killed and 15 others were wounded in the attack, the Associated Press reported.
The explosion went off in a crowd of people waiting to enter the airport, witness Adam Khan told the AP. He said several people appeared to have been killed or wounded, including some who lost body parts.
Thousands of people have been flocking the airport since earlier this month, after the Taliban overran the Afghan government and took over the country.
The incident happened as the U.S. continues mass evacuations ahead of the August 31 deadline for the final exit from a 20-year war in Afghanistan. So far, more 82,000 people have been evacuated -- including about 4,500 American citizens out of an estimated 6,000 who were known to be in the country -- in one of the largest U.S. airlifts in history, according to the AP.
At least 13 countries have agreed to temporarily house Afghan refugees until they can be resettled.
This is a developing situation. Updates will be provided.
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