August 27, 2021
Twin blasts near Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport killed dozens, including U.S. service members and Afghan civilians.
Kabul, Afghanistan | ISIS-K
On August 27, 2021, twin explosions occurred near the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. These attacks were part of the chaotic and tragic events unfolding during the final days of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which followed a nearly 20-year conflict.
In April 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden announced that American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. As the deadline approached, the Taliban made significant advances, capturing Kabul on August 15, 2021. This swift takeover led to a frantic evacuation effort by the U.S. military and its allies, as tens of thousands of people sought to flee the country from Kabul’s airport.
Location: The twin blasts occurred near Abbey Gate and a nearby hotel entrance to the airport, where large crowds had gathered in hopes of boarding evacuation flights.
Casualties: The bombings resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians. Scores of others were injured in the attacks.
Perpetrators: The Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), an affiliate of ISIS operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group had grown in strength amidst the chaos.
Response: In response to the attack, the U.S. military conducted retaliatory drone strikes targeting suspected ISIS-K operatives in Afghanistan, though these actions were met with controversy and scrutiny due to civilian casualties.
Impact on Evacuation: Despite the attacks, evacuation operations continued under heightened security, with the U.S. maintaining the August 31 deadline for its withdrawal.
International Reaction: The attacks drew condemnation worldwide and heightened the urgency of evacuation efforts by various nations. The event underscored the precarious security situation in Afghanistan during the power transition.
The twin bombings near Kabul’s airport were emblematic of the turbulent end to America’s longest military engagement. They highlighted the persistent threat of regional terror groups like ISIS-K and added to the global discourse on foreign military interventions and withdrawals. The chaotic withdrawal and subsequent events raised questions about the future stability of Afghanistan and the international community’s role in supporting its people amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Source: www.bbc.com