President Biden warns another Kabul attack is imminent
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Joe Biden said the US forces has been instructed to “take every possible measure” to protect troops still stationed in Afghanistan. President Biden has been met with the fury of the military after 13 soldiers died in a devastating ISIS-K terror attack that also saw 170 Afghan civilians die on Thursday. The US President said the order to counter any threat was the result of intelligence showing a second attack is “highly likely in the next 24-36 hours.”
President Biden said: “The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high.
“Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours.
“I directed them to take every possible measure to prioritise force protection, and ensured that they have all the authorities, resources and plans to protect our men and women on the ground.
“They assured me that they did and that they could take these measures while completing the mission and safely retrograding our personnel.”
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The US confirmed on Saturday a drone strike had taken out two “high-profile” members of ISIS-K in a retaliatory attack.
Mr Biden warned more strikes will come until all those involved in the death of the 13 US soldiers are found.
He continued: “I said we would go after the group responsible for the attack on our troops and innocent civilians in Kabul, and we have.
“This strike was not the last. We will continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay.
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“Whenever anyone seeks to harm the United States or attack our troops, we will respond.”
US forces are in the final phase of leaving Kabul and just over 1,000 civilians at the airport remain to be flown out before troops withdraw, a Western security official said on Sunday.
The country’s new Taliban rulers are prepared to take control of the airport, said an official from the hardline Islamist movement that has swept across Afghanistan, crushing the US-backed government.
The Western security official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters a date and time for the end of the operation was yet to be decided.
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Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday the Taliban would take over the airport “very soon” after US forces withdraw and announce a full cabinet in the coming days.
Mr Mujahid told Reuters the group had appointed governors and police chiefs in all but one of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces and would act to solve the country’s economic problems.
The Taliban, facing the loss of billions of dollars of aid for the country, appealed to the United States and other Western nations to maintain diplomatic relations after withdrawing.
Britain said that should happen only if the Taliban allow safe passage for those who want to leave and respect human rights.
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