Multiple U.S. troops killed in Kabul airport attack

The Pentagon has confirmed that multiple U.S. troops and "a number of Afghan civilians" were killed in an attack outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday. Additional U.S. troops are being treated for injuries.

Smoke rises after two explosions outside Hamid Karzai International Airport. Photo: Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The "complex attack" involved an explosion at the Abbey Gate entrance to the airport and a second explosion "at or near the Baron Hotel," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said.

The explosions followed warnings from the U.S. and allies about a potential terror attack near the airport, where thousands of Afghans have gathered in hopes of fleeing the country.

• The State Department on Wednesday night urged Americans not to travel to the airport and to leave immediately if they were gathered near the Abbey Gate, East Gate or North Gate. The department reiterated that warning after Thursday's explosions.

• The U.K. and Australia gave similar warnings. James Heappey, the British armed forces minister, told the BBC that the threat of a suicide attack by ISIS forces was "credible, imminent and lethal."

• The White House has stressed for several days that the possibility of an attack from ISIS-K was one factor pushing them to attempt to complete the evacuation operation by Aug. 31.

Photos shared by Afghanistan's TOLO News showed injured people, bleeding and being carried away from the blast site.

• The Taliban has reported that at least 13 people were killed and that many Taliban guards were wounded, per Reuters. About 60 people injured in the blasts have been treated at the NGO Emergency's surgical center so far, the organization said.

• The Taliban condemned the attack and claimed it took place in an area where the U.S. was handling security.

• Between the lines: The U.S. has security control of the airport itself but the Taliban is in control beyond the perimeter.

Thursday's attack came as President Biden was meeting with his national security team on Afghanistan in the Situation Room.

• He delayed his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, set for 11:30am ET, because those consultations were still ongoing, Axios' Barak Ravid reports.

Several NATO allies have ended their evacuation operations due to the terror threat and the need to prioritize the evacuation of U.S. troops over the coming days.

• Kirby said earlier on Thursday that the evacuation mission would continue through Aug. 31, but it's unclear whether civilians will still be able to enter the airport after Thursday's attack.

• Thousands of Afghans and hundreds of Americans are still attempting to flee. For now, Americans are being advised to stay away.

• Norway's foreign minister has said that the country will no longer be able to evacuate any civilians because "the doors at the airport are now closed and it is no longer possible to get people in."