Things are just getting worse and worse for the residents of Afghanistan.
After a long, two-decade struggle for democracy with the help of US soldiers, Afghans were struck with the shocking news that the Taliban have seized control over their country.
With most US troops withdrawn by president Joe Biden, Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani fleeing the country, and their entire government collapsing, residents were left to fend for themselves against the Taliban.
Heartbreaking videos of Afghans grabbing onto evacuation planes and falling from the sky were shared on social media, demonstrating just what some Afghans would do to escape Taliban rule.
With countries desperately trying to evacuate their citizens from the capital, Kabul, masses of people have flocked to the airport in hopes of returning home or finding refuge elsewhere.
But yesterday, the unthinkable happened.
90 Killed in Kabul Airpot Explosion
As people were desperately trying to leave the country, two powerful bombs exploded outside Kabul’s international airport, killing dozens and injuring more than a hundred.
As of yesterday evening, 90 people are believed to have died in the blasts, including Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members.
Another 150 civilians were wounded in the attacks.
Two suicide bombers are believed to have triggered the explosions.
Where it Happened
The first explosion took place at Baron Hotel, which was being used by British officials to process Afghans hoping to travel to the UK.
The second blast occurred close to the Abbey Gate, one of the airport’s main entrances. It was near a sewage canal where Afghans were waiting to be processed.
The explosion reportedly blew some Afghans into the water.
ISIS Takes Responsibility
The Islamic State Khorasan Province, ISKP, took responsibility for the attack, saying one of its suicide bombers targeted “translators and collaborators with the American army”.
The ISKP is Afghanistan’s affiliate of the Islamic State (ISIS).
Reports indicate that two suicide bombers and gunmen had targeted crowds near the Kabul airport.
It’s believed that the suicide bombers were wearing vests which concealed explosives. One of them had made it through the many checkpoints outside the airport, which are manned by the Taliban.
Some have blamed the Taliban for letting the bomber through, but a spokesman said that the attack occurred in an area controlled by American forces.
Biden: We Will Hunt You Down
President Biden vowed revenge against the perpetrators of the attack, saying the blasts will not deter America’s objective of evacuating thousands of civilians from Afghanistan.
“To those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” he said.
The US is going ahead with its plans to remove all US troops from Afghanistan by 31 Aug, adding that there may well be another attack, and that it’s best to get out as soon as possible.
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Featured Image: john smith 2021/shutterstock.com
