Condemns US Drone Attack Against ISIS-K, Taliban: Violating Sovereignty, Should Have Tell Us

Illustration of a US drone returning to base after carrying out an attack. (Wikimedia Commons/Fg Off Owen Cheverton)

JAKARTA - US troops launched a drone strike in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, killing a suicide car bomber suspected of preparing to attack the airport, US officials said, as the United States nears the end of its military presence in the city. that.

This is the second attack carried out by the US, after the suicide bombing carried out by the Islamic State group Khorasan (ISIS-K) last Thursday, killing 13 US soldiers and dozens of other civilians.

A US official said Sunday's attack was carried out by a drone. Secondary explosions following the attack indicated the vehicle was carrying "a large amount of explosives."

Witnesses reported a large explosion rocked the northern neighborhood of Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan, and television footage showed black smoke rising into the sky.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the attack and said in a statement there was no immediate indication that it caused civilian casualties but was investigating.

"We remain vigilant for potential future threats," CENTCOM said, citing Reuters Monday, August 30.

In connection with this attack, a US official confirmed the site of Sunday's attack was in the Khaje Bughra neighborhood of Kabul.

"US military forces carried out an unmanned aerial strike over the horizon today on a vehicle in Kabul, eliminating the imminent ISIS-K threat at Hamad Karzai International Airport," CENTCOM US spokesman Captain Bill Urban said.

"We believe we hit our target. A significant secondary explosion from the vehicle indicates the presence of a large amount of explosives."

The Taliban, who now control Afghanistan, condemned Sunday night's drone strike, saying the US had violated the country's sovereignty.

Taliban spokesman Bilal Kareemi said the US actions were not right and should have been in coordination with their side.

"It is not right to carry out operations in other regions. The US should have told us. Whenever the US carries out such operations, we condemn them," he said.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden had warned on Saturday that the situation on the ground in Kabul remained extremely dangerous, and that his military leaders had told him another militant attack was very likely in the next 24-36 hours.

US officials said they were deeply concerned about the local ISIS affiliate (ISIS-K) attacking airports as American troops departed, particularly the threat from rockets and vehicle-borne explosives.