WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Department of Defense confirmed Thursday at least two explosions at the Kabul airport, with U.S. personnel among the casualties.
"We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of U.S. and civilian casualties," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Twitter, referring to the first explosion.
"We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update," he added. The Pentagon will be holding a press conference later.
Citing anonymous sources, U.S. media reported that the explosion appeared to be suicide attack, the tactic of which was similar to that used by terrorist groups before.
U.S. President Joe Biden, who has been briefed on the incident, said U.S. troops operating on the ground to assist the evacuation are reminded of heightened risks posed by ISIS-K, a local affiliate of the Islamic State.
Shortly after the first explosion occurred, the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan issued a security alert for American citizens in Kabul, confirming the "large explosion" while urging Americans to "avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates at this time."
The embassy issued a security alert on Wednesday warning Americans to stay away from the airport due to security threats.
The United States has been scrambling to evacuate Americans and its Afghan partners from the country since the Taliban entered capital Kabul on Aug. 15. Enditem
