U.S. officials are bracing for more terrorist attacks at the Kabul airport as the Afghanistan evacuation effort enters its final days.
President Biden’s national security team warned Friday that “another terrorist attack in Kabul is likely,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. She added that U.S. military commanders in Afghanistan are “taking maximum force protection measures at the Kabul airport.”
“The threat is ongoing and acute and our troops are still in danger,” Ms. Psaki told reporters during a White House press briefing. “This is the most dangerous part of the mission.”
Ms. Psaki went on to explain that the most dangerous part of any mission is the final stages, when military commanders are moving troops and equipment home. However, she said this situation is particularly perilous because the troops are carrying out the mission while “there is an ongoing and acute threat from ISIS-K.”
She added that any equipment the military needs to secure the Kabul airport will be provided.
The caution follows Marine Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie Jr. telling the reporters he is expecting more attacks as the U.S. approaches its self-imposed Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw its troops from the country.
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“We believe it is their desire to continue those attacks, and we expect those attacks to continue,” he said.
A suicide bomber on Thursday struck near the Kabul airport as thousands of Americans and their Afghan allies are clamoring to flee the country. The attack killed at least 13 U.S. service members and wounded 18. More than 100 Afghan civilians, including children, died in the blast, according to the Pentagon.
ISIS-K, an Afghanistan affiliate of the Islamic State, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The warnings come as the U.S. and others continue evacuations from Kabul. In the past 24 hours, roughly 12,500 individuals were airlifted out of the country, the White House said. Since the end of July, about 110,600 people have been evacuated.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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