By Ebi Kesiena
US President, Joe Biden has vowed to hunt down those responsible for twin explosions at the Kabul airport in Afghanistan and said he had asked the Pentagon to develop plans to strike back at them.
He made the promise as he joined UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in vowing to continue the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan despite a “continued” risk of further bombings by the terrorist group.
The ISIS-K, a terrorist group which is an enemy of the Taliban who are in control of the country, is an off-shoot of the terrorist organisation Islamic State (IS).
Last night, August 26, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the double bombing, which is believed to have killed and injured many.
11 U.S. Marines, a US Navy medic and another US service member screening evacuees at the airport gates were among the casualties.
The two locations targeted in the bombings were the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport, where US troops were screening Afghans for evacuation, and the nearby Baron Hotel, where thousands including Afghans, Britons and Americans, were told to gather in recent days before heading to the airport for evacuation.
Biden paid tribute to the “selfless heroes” who died helping the Afghan people to safety.
The Pentagon warned there is still an imminent threat of attack at the airport and have now been told to draw up strike plans to hit ISIS-K assets and leadership, despite being in the process of withdrawing all its forces from Afghanistan.
“For those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive, we will not forget.
“We will hunt you down and make you pay’’ Biden said.
The UK Prime Minister also condemned Thursday’s terror attack, which is not believed to have claimed the lives of any British troops or officials.
He also vowed to continue the rescue effort at Kabul airport, where brave British troops were seen sweeping the perimeter following the double bombing.
