DAnother explosion occurred in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Observers reported that there was a loud explosion in the city on Sunday. A former Afghan government official stated that the explosion was caused by a missile that was initially reported to “hit the house.”
The incident occurred three days after the devastating suicide attack at the city’s airport. The regional branch of the terrorist militia, the Islamic State (IS), claimed that there had been a devastating suicide attack that killed more than 100 people. The United States warned on Saturday that the risk of attacks continues to remain high. Therefore, the US Army Command believes that it is “very likely” to launch an attack within “24 to 36 hours.”
Thirteen American soldiers were also killed in a suicide attack at Kabul Airport on Thursday. In retaliation for the attack, the U.S. military carried out a drone attack on the IS-K branch on Saturday night. According to the Pentagon, two senior members of the Islamic separatist group were killed. US President Joe Biden announced further retaliatory attacks. According to its own sources, the US military carried out air strikes in the Afghan capital on Sunday to prevent terrorists from posing an “imminent threat” to the Kabul airport. The US military said on Sunday that a drone successfully opened fire on a car belonging to the local branch of the IS terrorist militia. It said that because of a “major secondary explosion” after the rocket impact, it can be assumed that there must be a large amount of explosives in the vehicle. The attack will be checked for civilian victims. However, so far, there are no such signs, it said.
The US military hopes to withdraw 5,000 soldiers from the Afghan Capital Airport by Tuesday, and continue to evacuate those seeking protection before that. US Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said that by Tuesday, the US military will also be responsible for the operation and security of the airport. He denied that the Taliban claimed that they had controlled several airport gates. The Taliban set up their own security checks around the airport.
Mas headed to the area
Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas set off on Sunday for a four-day visit to five countries that have played a role in further efforts to get those seeking protection out of the country. It is planned to visit Turkey, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan’s three neighboring countries, as well as Qatar, the emirate of the Arabian Gulf. This is the seat of the Taliban’s political office, which serves as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the new ruler. German negotiator Markus Potzel has been discussing with him about leaving for several days. France is also discussing this matter with the Taliban.
Fourteen days ago, the Taliban captured the capital Kabul without fighting after a complete victory in the country. Since then, they have become the new rulers. After the international forces withdrew before August 31, from September 1st, all efforts to ensure a safe evacuation from Afghanistan will depend on the Taliban, whether it is safe conduct at land checkpoints or re-entry to the mission country in Kabul. Safe behavior at the time. Maybe in other cities in the country.
Macron calls for the establishment of a UN safe zone
Germany hopes that those seeking protection will be able to leave the country by civilian aircraft in the future. Apparently, about 300 Germans and more than 10,000 Afghans are still waiting to travel to Germany. The commander of the German evacuation operation, Jens Arlt, was afraid to predict when Kabul Airport would be able to handle civilian aircraft again on Friday night. After returning to Germany, the Brigadier General said that the civilian part of the airport had been destroyed.
Therefore, France is willing to cooperate with Britain to establish a United Nations safe zone. French President Emmanuel Macron of Le Journal du Dimanche said this is the goal of a joint resolution to be discussed by the UN Security Council on Monday. The aim is to “target humanitarian evacuation operations” without passing through the Kabul military airport. Since mid-August, the United States and its allies have shipped more than 112,000 compatriots and former Afghan aid workers out of the country.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres hopes to meet with representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council (that is, the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom) on Monday to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
