US President Joe Biden said another terror attack is highly likely in Afghanistan in the next 24-36 hours. He also pledged to keep up airstrikes against the Islamic extremist group responsible for the Kabul airport bombings.
With just two days left for the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US military has sounded a 'specific, credible threat' at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul as the evacuation continues. US President Joe Biden also said another terror attack is “highly likely” this weekend after Thursday's bombings at Kabul airport.
In an early morning security call, the US State Department urged all Americans in the vicinity of the Kabul airport to leave the area immediately because of a "specific, credible threat".
The state department asked US citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and avoid all airport gates at this time. It specifically noted the South (Airport Circle) gate, the new Ministry of the Interior, and the gate near the Panjshir Petrol station on the northwest side of the airport.
The Kabul airport, which is controlled by the US forces, witnessed suicide bombings claimed by Islamic State-Khorasan (ISKP) on Thursday which left over 170 people dead, including 13 US servicemen.
The Pentagon said the remaining contingent of US forces at the airport, now numbering fewer than 4,000, had begun their final withdrawal ahead of the August 31 deadline.
Another terror attack 'highly likely': Joe Biden
In a statement on Saturday, US President Joe Biden said the situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the Kabul 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 prioritize 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," Joe Biden said.
Joe Biden, who was briefed on a US drone mission in eastern Afghanistan that the Pentagon said killed two ISKP members early Saturday, said the extremists can expect more.
"This strike was not the last. We will continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay. Whenever anyone seeks to harm the United States or attack our troops, we will respond. That will never be in doubt," he said.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have deployed extra forces around Kabul airport to prevent large crowds from gathering after Thursday's suicide bombing. New layers of checkpoints sprang up on roads leading to the airport, some manned by uniformed Taliban fighters with Humvees and night-vision goggles captured from Afghan security forces.
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