[UPDATE]: An investigation by The New York Times released September 10 says the man targeted by the U.S. military in the drone strike was actually an aid worker who worked for a U.S. organization and had applied for refugee resettlement. The report has raised doubts about the version of events detailed by the Biden administration, which claimed the target was actually a threat. Original story below:
The U.S. Military conducted a drone strike on ISIS terrorists on Sunday in Kabul, “eliminating an imminent” threat to the airport, according to officials.
The strike was reportedly on a car that was carrying “multiple suicide bombers” who were en-route to the airport.
“We are confident we successfully hit the target. Significant secondary explosions from the vehicle indicated the presence of a substantial amount of explosive material,” U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said in a statement. “We are assessing the possibilities of civilian casualties, though we have no indications at this time. We remain vigilant for potential future threats.”
The strike comes hours after the U.S. State Department sent out an emergency alert during the early morning hours in Afghanistan on Sunday warning U.S. citizens to immediately leave the airport and the surrounding area due to a serious threat.
“Due to a specific, credible threat, all U.S. citizens in the vicinity of Kabul airport (HKIA), including the South (Airport Circle) gate, the new Ministry of the Interior, and the gate near the Panjshir Petrol station on the northwest side of the airport, should leave the airport area immediately,” the department said. “U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the airport and avoid all airport gates at this time.”
The emergency alert from the State Department comes after more than a dozen U.S. soldiers were murdered in an ISIS terrorist attack on the airport on Thursday.
Democrat President Joe Biden had warned on Saturday afternoon that his intelligence officials warned that the situation on the ground was “extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high.”
“Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours,” he added.
The strike on Sunday comes after the U.S. Military launched a separate attack on ISIS terrorists on Friday, killing two terrorists that the administration described as “high profile,” although they declined to identify who the terrorists were.
Pentagon will not release names of the 2 ‘high-profile’ ISIS planners killed in single U.S. drone strike: Kirby
— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) August 28, 2021
The U.S. soldiers that were killed during the terror attack on the Kabul airport are:
- Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts.
- Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska.
- Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California.
- Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California.
- Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio.
- Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee.
Related:
- U.S. Lawmakers: Biden Not Helping Americans Trapped Outside Kabul Airport Gates Get Inside
- Mother Of Slain U.S. Marine Unloads On Biden: A ‘Feckless, Dementia-Ridden Piece Of Crap,’ ‘Treasonous’
- EXCLUSIVE: Active Duty, Retired Naval Intelligence Members Told They Cannot ‘Disrespect’ Biden Over Afghanistan Debacle
This report has been updated to include additional information.