The US military says it conducted a drone attack to execute a member of the Islamic State organization’s Afghanistan offshoot. This follows President Joe Biden’s commitment to punishing the fatal suicide bombing at Kabul airfield.
The Air Strike Came Before a Suspected Second Attack
As the U.S.-led withdrawal from Kabul airport neared its end, the strike on Saturday came in the wake of what the White House described as “signs” that ISIS prepared to attack again. Biden has given a date of Tuesday to complete the departure.
According to a military source who spoke on condition of anonymity, Biden approved the drone strike, which was authorized by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Edison Local School District confirms Max Soviak was killed in yesterday’s bombing at the Kabul Airport in Afganistan.
Soviak is a 2017 grad of Edison High.
In a statement the district superintendent called Soviak, “A good student.. who was well liked and respected” @WEWS pic.twitter.com/rIncxpYufo
— DaLaun Dillard (@DDillardTV) August 27, 2021
The strike was conducted outside of Afghanistan just under 48 hours after a horrific Kabul attack that killed 13 Americans and countless Afghans; meanwhile, only days remain in the United States’ ultimate withdrawal from Afghanistan after a 20-year conflict. The US Central Command released little information, saying only that it thought no civilians were killed in the operation.
The US has been Watching ISIS for Years
The US military’s quick retaliation reflected its tight surveillance of ISIS and years of experience attacking militants in far-flung corners of the globe. However, it demonstrates the limits of American strength in combating extremist dangers; some will say they have greater freedom of movement in Afghanistan, now that the Taliban is in power.
The drone attack was carried out in Nangahar region against an ISIS terrorist suspected of preparing operations against the US in Kabul, according to Central Command. Per Navy Capt. William Urban, a spokesman for the hit, one person was killed.
Terrorist bombing targets Afghanis waiting for departure around Kabul airport. Western intel warns of a second attack. US wheels not off the tarmac yet and Taliban cannot prevent terrorism from acting inside #Afganistan
— Hussain Abdul-Hussain (@hahussain) August 26, 2021
It was unclear whether the targeted individual was personally involved in the bombing attack at the Kabul airport entrance on Thursday; during this attack, throngs of Afghans were urgently seeking to enter as part of the ongoing withdrawal.
The assault came after President Joe Biden said on Thursday that the attackers would not be allowed to hide. We’re going to find you and force you to pay, he threatened. Pentagon officials told journalists on Friday that they were ready for any retaliation the president directed. The Defense Department Joint Staff’s Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said they had alternatives there right now.
Chaos at Kabul airport.
Local reports say it was a suicide bombing attack.Mughals #TalibanTerror #Afganistan #TalibaniMughals Kabir khan #BoycottSalmanKhan pic.twitter.com/5KCRP3fq4v
— राजेश "हिंदुस्थानी" (@rjs32826722) August 26, 2021
In the final days of a hurried US-led retreat, the president was advised to expect another devastating strike. Biden’s homeland security staff, according to White House press secretary Jen Psaki, has a bleak prognosis. They told the president that another terrorist incident in Kabul is possible, but that they are adopting maximum stress security protocols at Kabul airport.
The Department of State warned Americans to avoid airport entrances. A day later, no new facts about the terminal bombing emerged; although the military clarified its preliminary investigation that two suicide bombers launched the attack.
There was only one, according to the report, which occurred close to or at the Abbey Gate and was accompanied by gunfire. According to Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor of the Pentagon’s Coordinating Committee, the first claim of a second attack at the neighboring Baron Hotel was erroneous; he ascribed the error to an early confusion.
