At least 13 people have been killed, including children, after a large explosion Thursday outside the Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan.
The Pentagon confirmed the explosion occurred on the outside of the airport as countries rushed to evacuate thousands from the country through the airport.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” said Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby.
There were, however, conflicting reports on the number of causalities.
Reuters, citing a Taliban official, reported the initial death toll as 13, but Qatar-based Al Jazeera, also citing a Taliban official, reported the same figure as 11.
Another United States official said the blast was caused by a suicide bombing, according to Reuters.
Earlier Thursday, Western nations had warned of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport in the waning days of the massive evacuation efforts. Several countries urged people to avoid the airport, where an official said there was a threat of a suicide bombing. But just days – or even hours for some nations – before the evacuation effort ends, few appeared to heed the call.
Over the last week, the airport has been the scene of some of the most searing images of the chaotic end of America’s longest war ever and the Taliban’s takeover, as flight after flight took off carrying those who fear a return to the militants’ brutal rule.
Already, some countries have ended their evacuations and begun to withdraw their soldiers and diplomats, signaling the beginning of the end of one of history’s largest airlifts. The Taliban have so far honored a pledge not to attack Western forces during the evacuation, but insist the foreign troops must be out by the U.S.’ self-imposed deadline of Aug. 31
Overnight, warnings emerged from Western capitals about a threat from the Daesh terrorist group, which likely has seen its ranks boosted by the Taliban’s freeing of prisoners during their blitz across the country.
