12 US troops and 60 Afghans killed in Kabul airport suicide bombings

At least sixty Afghans and ten US Marines, have been killed in a suicide bombing carried out by ISIS at the Kabul airport, a US official confirmed to Reuters Thursday night.

An emergency airport in Kabul has confirmed that approximately 60 people were wounded in the blast, and six died on the way to hospital.

A UK defense source confirmed there were two explosions at the airport, one next to the Baron Hotel, and the second by Abbey Gate. No UK military casualties were reported, according to an initial assessment.

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Pentagon press secretary John Kirby initially confirmed the blast at Abbey Gate outside the airport, and confirmed both explosions in a tweet.

We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update. — John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021

Baron Hotel was used by Canadian and British military as collection point for Afghans approved for evacuation flights.

According to reports, guns were fired at one of the gates of the airport.

Just now: suicide attack the Kabul airport, and then gunfire at one of the gates. — Asaad Hanna (@AsaadHannaa) August 26, 2021

A source briefed on the situation has said that “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue.” US officials said on Thursday they were concerned that further attacks could occur at Kabul airport.

Unconfirmed reports of a third explosion on Thursday night further highlighted this concern.

NEW: Source briefed on the situation in Kabul tells me “hundreds of ISIS-K in the vicinity, attacks likely to continue” — Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) August 26, 2021

Injured people arrive at a hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan August 26, 2021. (credit: ASVAKA NEWS/via REUTERS)

US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the explosion, according to a White House official.

Following reports of the blast, the UK Defense Ministry said they are working urgently on determining what has happened and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort, according to Reuters.

"We are working urgently to establish what has happened in Kabul and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort," the Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

"Our primary concern remains the safety of our personnel, British citizens and the citizens of Afghanistan. We are in close contact with our US and other NATO allies at an operational level on the immediate response to this incident.

The United States and allies urged people to move away from Kabul airport on Thursday due to the threat of an Islamic State terror attack.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.