Two US officials say 11 Marines and a Navy medic were killed in the Afghanistan attacks, according to the Associated Press.
Earlier in the day, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby confirmed a “number of U.S. service members were killed” in Thursday’s attack at the Kabul airport.
“A number of others are being treated for wounds,” Kirby said. “We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack.”
Prior to Thursday, the last U.S. military combat death in Afghanistan occurred in February 2020.
— Joey Garrison and the Associated Press
Taliban ‘strongly condemns’ bombing, says US was responsible for security
The Taliban government in Afghanistan said it “strongly condemns” the bombing outside the Kabul airport and said the attack occurred in an area where the U.S. is responsible for security.
The attack was believed to have been orchestrated by the ISIS-K terrorist network, an enemy of the Taliban.
“The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport, which took place in an area where US forces are responsible for security,” Shaheen said in a tweet. “The Islamic Emirate is paying close attention to the security and protection of its people, and evil circles will be strictly stopped."
The Pentagon confirmed the attack resulted in “a number of U.S. and civilian casualties.”
