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Rockets hit close to Kabul airport as US prepares to leave Afghanistan

August 30, 2021
Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2021 shows a damaged vehicle after rockets were fired in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Credit: Xinhua)
Photo taken on Aug. 30, 2021 shows a damaged vehicle after rockets were fired in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Credit: Xinhua)



KABUL — Rockets struck a neighbourhood near Kabul's international airport on Monday amid the ongoing US withdrawal from Afghanistan. The rocket attack was claimed by Daesh (ISIS-K).

The US defence department said they employed measures to thwart the attack and that it did not affect the mission at the airport or pose a danger to US personnel. One rocket did land inside the airport perimeter, officials said.

Pentagon Press secretary John Kirby said the threats were still "active" and that the US was taking them seriously.

It comes as the leaders of France, Britain and Germany prepare to call for a safe evacuation zone to be made secure at Kabul airport after the US military withdrawal.

The rockets on Monday morning struck in Kabul's Salim Karwan neighbourhood — some 3 kilometres from the airport.

A witness who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals said they heard the sound of three explosions and then saw a flash, like fire, in the sky.

In a statement, the White House said that "operations continue uninterrupted" at Kabul airport. Planes took off roughly every 20 minutes at one point Monday morning.

On Sunday, a US drone strike blew up a vehicle carrying “multiple suicide bombers” from Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate before they could attack the ongoing military evacuation at Kabul’s international airport, American officials said. An Afghan official said three children were killed in the strike.

The US is to withdraw from Afghanistan by Tuesday. More than 122,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since the beginning of the operation. — Agencies

August 30, 2021
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