A Pentagon-connected source tells Becker News that 13 service members are believed to be killed in the wake of multiple suicide bomb explosions near Kabul airport.
Breaking: Pentagon-connected source tells me as many as 13 U.S. service members are now believed killed, 20 troops wounded, 10 in critical condition.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 26, 2021
This number has been independently confirmed by a second source.
Being told the US death toll is believed to be 13 so far
— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) August 26, 2021
Update: 12 confirmed dead per Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin.
https://twitter.com/SCUBA2024/status/1430962604202205192
Fox News earlier confirmed at least ten of these troops’ deaths.
https://twitter.com/SCUBA2024/status/1430954433756737543
There is also third explosion reported near Kabul airport.
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1430956080125906950
Meanwhile, Becker News has learned of reports that Americans’ passports are being seized at Taliban checkpoints.
Just got off the phone with military-connected source in Afghanistan. The source told me Americans' passports are being seized at Taliban checkpoints.
A harrowing development with dire implications for future terrorist attacks. The Biden administration is doing nothing.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 26, 2021
Furthermore, several Afghan interpreters’ documents are now believed to be in the hands of the Taliban.
Military-connected source in Afghanistan tells me interpreters' documents are almost certainly in hands of Taliban. Terrorists are conducting revenge operations. Afghan interpreter O.'s dad was beaten by Taliban.
Heartbreaking. America is failing its allies on Biden's watch.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) August 26, 2021
These are the first U.S. troops killed since February 2020, per CNN. The news comes as President Joe Biden has reportedly just canceled a big meeting with Afghan governors set for 3 p.m.
Biden was slated to meet with governors about Afghanistan refugees at 3:00pm. That is now cancelled.
— Philip Melanchthon Wegmann (@PhilipWegmann) August 26, 2021
“Biden was slated to meet with governors about Afghanistan refugees at 3:00pm,” RealClearNews reporter Philip Melanchthon Wegmann reproted. “That is now cancelled.”
Also, the White House press briefing with Jen Psaki has been delayed for over an hour, and a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has been delayed.
UPDATE:
Biden’s meeting with governors at 3pm is cancelled.
A bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is delayed.
The Press Briefing is delayed.
— Camryn Kinsey (@camrynbaylee) August 26, 2021
The State Department has also canceled its daily briefing.
Update from @StateDept:
No press briefing today pic.twitter.com/hGmuvVmQVi— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) August 26, 2021
The news comes amidst reports of multiple explosions near Kabul airport. At least 40 are dead and 120 are wounded, according to the NY Times.
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1430928524433559562
One explosion outside Kabul airport has left at least four U.S. Marines injured or killed. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed the reported attack on Thursday morning.
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
The explosion took place at one of the entry gates of the Hamid Karzai International Airport and is being described as a suicide attack, according to three US officials.
There were also reports of a second explosion near the Kabul airport.
BREAKING — 2nd suicide detonation confirmed, likely near the Baron Hotel, more casualties.
U.S. Embassy ordering all citizens to flee the airport zone altogether.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
“2nd suicide detonation confirmed, likely near the Baron Hotel, more casualties,” Charles Lister reported. “U.S. Embassy ordering all citizens to flee the airport zone altogether.”
Judging by source reports, a number of #Taliban fighters may also have been wounded in today's double-suicide attack at #Kabul airport — x1 at Abbey Gate & x1 outside Baron Hotel.
— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) August 26, 2021
“Judging by source reports, a number of #Taliban fighters may also have been wounded in today’s double-suicide attack at #Kabul airport — x1 at Abbey Gate & x1 outside Baron Hotel,” Lister added.
The explosions killed at least 13 Afghans seeking to escape, including children, according to the Taliban itself, Steve Holland reported. A graphic video of the aftermath is provided below. (Viewer warning.)
AT LEAST 13 KILLED, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MANY TALIBAN GUARDS WOUNDED IN A BLAST OUTSIDE KABUL AIRPORT – TALIBAN OFFICIAL
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) August 26, 2021
The following is a disturbing video of the ‘horrific aftermath.’
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1430910000486965254
U.S. officials believe the explosion may have been conducted by a terror group seizing on the chaos left in the wake of President Joe Biden’s abrupt military withdrawal. ISIS, al Qaeda, and rogue Taliban forces are all a grave threat to Americans and Afghan allies in the wartorn nation.
Americans stranded in Afghanistan have been instructed again to not seek passage out of Afghanistan via Kabul airport at this time, unless directed by U.S. offficials. This news comes as the Aug. 31 deadline is rapidly approaching, and there will almost certainly be thousands of Americans left behind. The Taliban is warning of “consequences” if there are rescue or extraction operations conducted after the Aug. 31 deadline.
While the Biden administration has asked the Taliban to extend the Aug. 31 deadline, that offer has been rejected. There are reportedly CIA-led special operations being conducted in the country to get Americans out.
President Biden has ordered the U.S. military to withdraw from Afghanistan immediately, leaving thousands of Americans in harm’s way.
OPINION: This article contains commentary which reflects the author's opinion.