There Are Still 1,000 Citizens In Afghanistan, US Marine General: We Will Continue Our Mission And Pursue The Attackers

US troops in Afghanistan. (Twitter/@DeptofDefense)

JAKARTA - Two twin suicide bombings in Kabul, claimed by the Islamic State terrorist group, killed around 60 civilians and 12 US soldiers and injured 140 people, took place in the Kabul airport area, Afghanistan last Thursday.

Quoting Reuters Friday, August 27, a top US general said in addition to the 12 soldiers killed, 15 other soldiers were injured. He said US troops were preparing to anticipate further attacks, while continuing the evacuation process from Afghanistan.

In a statement, ISIS claimed responsibility and said one of the suicide bombers targeted an interpreter and collaborator with American soldiers.

Responding to this incident, the Head of US Military Central Command Marine General Frank McKenzie said at a press conference, the explosion was followed by gunfire. McKenzie said the threat from ISIS persists alongside other active threat streams.

"We believe it is their desire to continue with this attack and they hope it continues. We are doing everything we can to prepare," McKenzie said.

McKenzie continued, potential future attacks could include rockets fired at airports or car bombs trying to enter. McKenzie said he saw nothing that would convince him that Taliban forces had allowed the attack to take place.

US officials said a bomb was detonated near the gates of Kabul airport. While another bomb exploded close to the nearby Baron Hotel.

"I think we can continue our mission, even when we receive an attack like this," McKenzie said, adding US troops would pursue the perpetrators of Thursday's attack.

McKenzie said there were about 1,000 Americans still thought to be in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, a State Department spokesman said more than two-thirds of Americans had informed they were taking steps to leave Afghanistan. For information, US officials say there are about 5,200 US troops assigned to maintain security at Kabul airport. Meanwhile, the Taliban deployed their troops to maintain security in the area outside the airport.

The bomb attack comes as the United States and other countries are working hard to evacuate at-risk Afghan soldiers, citizens and civilians out of the country by August 31, as agreed with the Taliban.

To date, the United States and its allies have carried out one of the largest air evacuations in history, carrying about 95,700 people, including 13,400 on Wednesday, according to the White House.