US Launches Drone Strike in Kabul Amid Evacuation Deadline

Strategic Insights -

As the Biden administration and its European allies work to evacuate people from Afghanistan after the August 31 deadline for withdrawal, the US military launched a drone strike against an Isis-K vehicle in the Afghan capital, citing an "imminent Isis-K threat" to the international airport. The strike came hours after President Joe Biden warned of a "highly likely" terror attack in the area within the next 24-36 hours, and as the Taliban increased its presence around the airport to search and vet arrivals. Despite over 115,000 evacuations since August 14, the Biden administration still hopes to evacuate hundreds more, including around 300 US civilians who remain in the country.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US military launched a drone strike against an Isis-K vehicle in Kabul, citing an "imminent Isis-K threat" to the international airport.
  • The strike came hours after President Joe Biden warned of a "highly likely" terror attack in the area within the next 24-36 hours.
  • The Taliban has increased its presence around the airport to search and vet arrivals, setting up multiple checkpoints with lists of would-be evacuees.
  • More than 115,000 people have been evacuated since August 14, but the Biden administration still hopes to evacuate hundreds more.
  • President Biden warned that another terror attack in the area is "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours".
  • The Taliban's presence around the airport has added to concerns that its fighters are blocking large numbers of Afghans eligible for evacuation from leaving.
  • The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has announced that France and the UK will begin a diplomatic push to create a "safe zone" in Kabul for those wanting to leave.
  • Germany's foreign minister, Heiko Maas, has pledged to "work to ensure that international co-operation continues in this critical phase".
  • Franziska Brantner, a German Green Party leader, has stated that the German government is committed to supporting the international community's efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Statistics:

  • Over 115,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since August 14.
  • Around 300 US civilians remain in Afghanistan and are still hoping to be evacuated.
  • The US-led operation has evacuated more than 115,000 people since August 14.
  • The US military has warned that another terror attack in Kabul is "highly likely in the next 24-36 hours".
  • The Biden administration hopes to evacuate hundreds more people from Afghanistan after the August 31 deadline.
  • More than 13 US troops were killed in last week's Isis-K suicide bombing.

Sources:

  • KIRAN STACEY, KATRINA MANSON AND JAMES POLITI WASHINGTON The US launched a drone strike to protect the Kabul evacuation effort yesterday, as the Biden administration and its European allies promised to help people leave Afghanistan after tomorrow's deadline for withdrawal.
  • "We are confident we successfully hit the target," said Captain Bill Urban, a US Central Command spokesman.
  • "Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material."
  • Additional reporting by Fazelminallah Qazizai in Kabul, Leila Abboud in Paris and Erika Solomon in Berlin.