Editor’s note: Please scroll down for updates.
This is not good:
JUST IN: Sources tell @dlippman @alexbward and I there has been a large explosion at Abbey gate at the Kabul airport
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) August 26, 2021
Officials: There was an explosion at the Hamid Karzai International Airport
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 26, 2021
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby has confirmed that there was, in fact, an explosion at the airport in Kabul:
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Oh no.
#BREAKING
Aug 26—Kabul, Afghanistan
Massive explosion reported at the airport's Abbey Gate. Shots also reported.Pentagon has confirmed the blast. No report of casualties as of yet.https://t.co/BckKSkqoZL pic.twitter.com/kqmeuGsaW8
— Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) August 26, 2021
There are reports of gunfire and multiple casualties.
#BREAKING A big blast heard near Kabul airport. Sporadic gunshots continue.#Afghanistan
— Habib Khan (@HabibKhanT) August 26, 2021
CNN reporting multiple casualties due to the explosion at Kabul airport
— Tamar Beeri (@TamarBeeri) August 26, 2021
#AFG Explosion took place outside of the eastern gate of airport and gunfire is underway. There are casualties and fatalities, multiple eye witnesses tells me.
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 26, 2021
We will continue to monitor the situation for developments.
Let's wait for more info. But "major explosion at airport during desperate evacuation" is, in general, a news report that isn't going to end happily. https://t.co/V8iXrm9DcV
— Jeff B. tried to do his best, but he could not (@EsotericCD) August 26, 2021
All we can do now is pray.
This is heartbreaking. Pray for our troops and Afghan allies. https://t.co/pcQ2aMW0Pc
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) August 26, 2021
CHRIST. Pray. https://t.co/1EmaN6DRnT
— kaitlin (@thefactualprep) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reports that officials are attributing the explosion to a suicide bomber:
NEW: Suicide bomber “complex SBIED attack” with firefight at Abbey Gate outside Kabul airport; Afghan casualties: US official
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) August 26, 2021
Dear God.
BREAKING — "complex" suicide attack underway, plus gunfire at Abbey Gate, #Kabul airport.
This was everyone's worst nightmare. Casualties guaranteed.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
Some reports say the attack took place near the Baron Hotel, on the approach to Abbey Gate.
The Baron has been used for days as a frontline gathering point for #Afghans seeking travel to the #UK.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
More:
Initial reports indicate the explosion near Kabul airport was from a suicide bomber not far from HKIA's Abbey Gate and the Baron Hotel, which has been used by the British.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) August 26, 2021
U.S. official tells Reuters that initial report is that explosion outside Kabul airport was caused by a suicide bombing.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) August 26, 2021
US official says there have been casualties.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) August 26, 2021
According to preliminary information, a suicide bomber exploded. Casualties feared.
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
Footage of the explosion and the aftermath is making its way out, and it’s terrifying.
First photo showing chaos after the recent blast at #Kabul airport. pic.twitter.com/UAEQQLMW8L
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
Reports indicate that there were dozens of #British citizens at the entrance where the blast occurred at #Kabul airport. pic.twitter.com/y5yNP0Nmer
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
A heavily injured person outside #Kabul airport. #Tragedy pic.twitter.com/UGN6beoT2Z
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/BarzanSadiq/status/1430893427856531465
More photos are coming from #Kabul airport. Chaos everywhere. pic.twitter.com/ZxUokOP9Fc
— Barzan Sadiq (@BarzanSadiq) August 26, 2021
“Chaos everywhere.”
American troops are reportedly among the casualties:
BREAKING: At least 3 U.S. troops wounded in suicide bombing outside Abbey Gate at Kabul airport: U.S. officials
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 26, 2021
#BREAKING: WSJ reporting US marines have been injured in Kabul explosion. #Afghanistan https://t.co/SipEa5eKOk
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) August 26, 2021
Us official says initial reports are that U.S. service members, potentially two or three, are among those injured in the attack.
— Idrees Ali (@idreesali114) August 26, 2021
State Department: "Initial reports suggest four or more U.S. service personnel may have been injured or killed in the explosion"
— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) August 26, 2021
And an infant was reportedly killed in the explosion:
Witness to suicide bombing in Kabul tells FOX an infant died in the explosion, said Americans were injured.
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) August 26, 2021
My God https://t.co/1KjviBG2kC
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) August 26, 2021
More:
Sources say 1 suicide bomber detonated within a large crowd of people & at least 1 other attacker opened fire with an automatic rifle.
10+ dead, per locals.
Some reports of UK &/or US military injuries.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
UPDATE:
Local Afghanistan news reporting 11 killed and dozens injured, including 3 US troops, in the wake of the explosion at the Kabul airport.— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) August 26, 2021
2-3 U.S. Marines confirmed injured in today's attack at #Kabul airport.
Civilian casualties are being carried away in wheelbarrows. Just tragic.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
There are now reports of a possible second explosion:
Our @JenGriffinFNC reporting a possible 2nd explosion near a hotel that in the past has been a gathering point for Americans waiting to be evacuated
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) August 26, 2021
BREAKING UPDATE: Fox News reports that there were two explosions. This appears to be a "complex suicide attack"
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 26, 2021
Fox News reporting a second explosion near the hotel Americans were gathering at for rescue operations.
— Kassy Dillon (@KassyDillon) August 26, 2021
NEW: @JenGriffinFNC One explosion reported near Barron hotel – where Americans in past have gathered for rescue.
This makes two confirmed explosions
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 26, 2021
Cap Hill sources say Multiple explosions in Kabul. No safe gates at airport. The incident comes at the airport as lawmakers and their aides have been scrambling to get Americans and certain Afghans out. Fox is told there may be persons with multiple suicide vests
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) August 26, 2021
BREAKING: Two sources confirm a second explosion outside #HKIA w/ @alexbward
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
JUST IN: Three sources confirm US casualties. US forces returned fire after first explosion. @AndrewDesiderio @alexbward
— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) August 26, 2021
Fox's @JenGriffinFNC confirms that three U.S. Marines were injured in the attack on the Kabul Airport. pic.twitter.com/b1fgVlj6Mv
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 26, 2021
At least 13 killed, including children. At least 4 American troops injured/killed
— Anna Ahronheim (@AAhronheim) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
FNC’s Jennifer Griffin forecasts a disturbing but sadly not unlikely scenario:
FOX's @JenGriffinFNC analysis now: The attack only increases likelihood of a rapid withdrawal from Kabul. End of rescue mission.
— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) August 26, 2021
Is this “the end of the mission,” John Kirby?
***
Update:
An ISIS suicide bomber was reportedly responsible for at least one explosion:
An ISIS suicide bomber was responsible for the explosion outside the Kabul airport, per a U.S. official and a source.
This comes just hours after officials began warning about an increased ISIS threat in Afghanistan. https://t.co/WcwyOqOQLL
— POLITICO (@politico) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
Look for this situation to get much, much worse:
NEW: Source briefed on the situation in Kabul tells me “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue”
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
It’s gotten worse:
JUST IN – At least 40 dead and 120 wounded, with the majority in critical condition, arriving at #Kabul hospitals following the terror attacks, according to a local NYT reporter.
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 26, 2021
#UPDATE
At least 40 dead and 120 wounded, with the majority in critical condition, arriving at #Kabul hospitals following the terror attacks, according to a local NYT reporter.Reminder:
6 days ago, Biden downplayed the threat of terrorism in Afghanistan.pic.twitter.com/73QYCPZO5j— Heshmat Alavi (@HeshmatAlavi) August 26, 2021
At least four Marines are confirmed to have been killed in the attacks:
BREAKING: At least 4 U.S. Marines killed in bombings near Kabul Airport – WSJ https://t.co/CHl9P1Xjia
— BNO News (@BNONews) August 26, 2021
Wall Street Journal reporting four U.S. Marines Killed in Kabul airport explosions, 3 wounded.
— Gareth Browne (@BrowneGareth) August 26, 2021
Breaking: The U.S. ambassador in Kabul has told staff there that four U.S. Marines were killed in an explosion at the city’s airport and three wounded, a U.S. official with knowledge of the briefing said. https://t.co/xZYNDNinPZ
— Ben Pershing (@benpershing) August 26, 2021
Statement on this morning's attack at #HKIA: pic.twitter.com/Qb1DIAJQJU
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
***
Update:
Our @JenGriffinFNC brings us more tragic news this hour. The death toll among U.S. servicemembers is now at least 10
— John Roberts (@johnrobertsFox) August 26, 2021
At least 10 US service members have been killed outside the airport in Kabul — from US officials according to our Pentagon team.
— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) August 26, 2021
Third explosion reported in Kabul. At least 10 American soldiers dead and that number is expected to quickly rise. We hadn’t lost a. American life in a year and a half!!
— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) August 26, 2021
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two US officials say 11 Marines and a Navy medic were killed in the Afghanistan attacks.
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) August 26, 2021
Horrible.
UPDATE: At least 12 U.S. service members killed in suicide attack outside Kabul airport; 11 Marines, Navy medic, dozens wounded: U.S. officials
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 26, 2021
UPDATE — More than 60 Afghan civilians were killed and 150 others were wounded in Kabul Airport explosions, a health official told us. #Kabul #KabulAirport
— Ehsanullah Amiri (@euamiri) August 26, 2021
This did not have to happen.
***
Update:
The latest from CENTCOM:
Gen. McKenzie, Commander of @CENTCOM: 12 American service members killed, 15 wounded in two explosions at Abbey Gate and near Baron Hotel in Kabul.
— Brianna Keilar (@brikeilarcnn) August 26, 2021
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