Multiple rockets were fired at Kabul International Airport, but the US claims ‘operations continue unabated’
KABUL/WASHINGTON: As the US raced to conclude its withdrawal from Afghanistan, up to five rockets were fired at Kabul’s international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system.
According to a US government official who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, the missiles were launched early Monday morning Kabul time, though it was unclear whether all of them were intercepted by the defense system.
According to the person, initial reports did not suggest any US casualties, but that information might change.
However, the US eventually verified that missiles were fired towards Kabul International Airport. It published a statement stating that “operations continue uninterrupted.”
Earlier on Sunday, American forces launched a drone hit in Kabul, targeting a suicide bomber in a vehicle en route to the airport.
There is growing concern that Islamic State terrorists could attempt additional strikes on the airport as US soldiers rush to evacuate surviving American residents and at-risk Afghans before their own departure on Aug. 31.
Officials have previously warned that ISIS-K terrorists were planning to launch rockets at the airport. However, the US has prior experience combating similar rockets, notably in Iraq, and has already installed missile defense systems.
“We know they (ISIS-K) would like to throw a rocket in there if they could,” US Central Command commander General Frank McKenzie told reporters last week in Washington. “We now have quite decent protection against that.” “We’ve got our anti-rocket and mortar system,” McKenzie explained.
After a suicide bomb attack on Thursday that killed hundreds of Afghans and 13 US service members, there is increased fear about suicide bombers and car bombs attacking the airport.
On Saturday, US Vice President Joe Biden stated that the situation on the ground remained extremely dangerous and that his military leaders had informed him that another insurgent strike was highly expected within the next 24-36 hours.
