Afghanistan: Second explosion in Kabul – at least ten dead

There was an explosion at the airport in Kabul. So far it is known that at least ten people have died. The situation in the news ticker.

>>> Update news ticker <<<

+++ 4.45 p.m.: The US broadcaster Fox News reports that there was a second explosion in Kabul. The French ambassador David Martinon warned a few minutes ago that this could happen (see update from 4:25 p.m.). The Turkish Defense Ministry has confirmed that there was a second explosion.

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+++ 4.34 p.m.: Apparently there are numerous dead from the explosion at Kabul airport. The Al Jazeera news agency speaks of at least ten people who are said to have died. There are also numerous injuries, including soldiers from the US Army. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby spoke of an “unknown number” of victims on Twitter.

Afghanistan live: explosion at Kabul airport

+++ 4.30 p.m.: There is increasing evidence that it was actually a suicide attack at Kabul airport. Now the TV broadcaster CNN reports that three US government officials are said to have assessed the situation as a terrorist attack.

+++ 4:25 p.m.: The French ambassador to Afghanistan, David Martinon, warned on Twitter of a possibly imminent second explosion. Anyone who is at the entrances to the airport should get to safety as soon as possible.

+++ 4.15 p.m.: A few minutes ago an explosion occurred at Kabul Airport (see update from 3.45 p.m). The number of victims is so far unknown. Now there are media reports that it was supposed to have been an attack. Numerous embassies had warned against this. Defense Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer had also spoken of “terror threats” (see update from 2 p.m.).

As the ARD reports, twelve suicide bombers are said to have been sighted at the airport. A correspondent also speaks of a firefight. Accordingly, the location is said to be particularly dangerous, especially at the south gate of Kabul airport. An official confirmation is still pending.

+++ 3.45 p.m.: Apparently there was an explosion at the airport in Kabul. This is reported by the US magazine Politico and Deutsche Welle. According to the reports, the explosion should have occurred at an access gate to the airport grounds.

The US Department of Defense has already confirmed the explosion. The number of victims is currently unclear. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said: “We can confirm an explosion outside the Kabul airport.”

The ministry will provide further details as they become available. In the past few days there had been increasing warnings of terrorist attacks around the airport in Kabul.

+++ 2 p.m.: Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has warned of an ever-increasing threat of terror around the airport in Kabul. “We know that the terror threats have intensified massively, that they have become much more specific,” she said on Thursday in Berlin. “We are now in the most hectic, dangerous, and sensitive phase.”

Afghanistan: Kramp-Karrenbauer warns of “terror threats”

The evacuation operation of the German armed forces is due to end shortly due to the imminent withdrawal of the US armed forces from the airport and the growing threat of terrorism. However, the Bundeswehr still flew to Kabul on Thursday. The German embassy warned against coming to the airport on Wednesday. Kramp-Karrenbauer said that they are working “feverishly” on the further evacuation, but that the terrorist threat must be taken into account. “This is not an individual question for the Federal Republic of Germany, at the moment that is the situation for all other countries as well.”

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+++ 12.30 p.m.: The World Food Program is apparently planning a new airlift. The WFP director David Beasley announced on Thursday. The aim is to use the new airlift to ensure humanitarian supplies to Afghanistan, said Beasley. It is planned that planes will commute between Islamabad (Pakistan) and Kabul (Afghanistan). The purpose is travel opportunities for employees of the aid organizations and the United Nations and the delivery of urgently needed goods.

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The supply situation in Afghanistan is tense. There is a lack of essential basics such as medicines or food. Since the Taliban took power, the situation on the ground has worsened again. According to data from the United Nations, around 18 million people in the country are dependent on emergency aid.

First report from Thursday, August 26th, 2021, 11.15 a.m .: More than 500 US citizens are said to be still in Kabul. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reported. Overall, the US Army and its allies, including Germany, evacuated more than 82,000 people, Blinken said at a press conference on Wednesday.

How many US citizens really are still in Afghanistan is not known, admitted the US Secretary of State. There could well be another 1,000 US citizens in the country that the Taliban have now taken over. “This is about real people with real fears,” said Blinken.

Afghanistan: Kabul Airport is the perfect target for a terrorist attack

As foreign powers continue their efforts to bring compatriots and local aid workers out of Afghanistan, fear of terrorist attacks is growing in the capital, Kabul. The airport in particular could become the target of the Islamic State terrorist militia. The embassies of the USA, Great Britain and Australia warned against this. One should “leave the area immediately”, so a message.

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According to the Al Jazeera news agency, the IS offshoot “Islamic State Khorasan Province” (ISKP) is the most active in Afghanistan. The sub-group is considered the Taliban’s archenemy and the possibility of a terrorist attack is better now than ever before. “It is very easy for a suicide bomber to reach the airport access roads that are crammed with people,” said Ahmedullah Rafiqzai, an airport employee in Kabul, told Reuters. “But people don’t want to leave here, despite all the warnings. They want to leave the country, they are not afraid to die trying. ”(Dil / tu with dpa / AFP) * fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.

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