According to US military officials, a US drone strike in Kabul has prevented another suicide attack at the airport. The strike targeted a vehicle carrying at least one person associated with the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group, said the US Central Command.
On Sunday, Capt Bill Urban of Central Command said that the US had carried out a targeted drone strike aimed at “eliminating an imminent” threat to Kabul airport. “We are confident we successfully hit the target,” he said, adding: “Secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material.” He later said that Central Command were aware of reports of civilian casualties following the drone strike and that they were investigating the manner.
The US military later revealed that at least nine civilians were killed in the drone strike but as of yet it is unclear how the civilians died. Information shared by Kabul residents suggest four young children were among the casualties.
The US has warned of possible further attacks as evacuations wind down but despite this has said that they will keep evacuating Afghans from Kabul airport until “the last moment”. The deadline for the evacuation mission is 31 August as was agreed between the US and the Taliban.
Sources: BBC
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