Another attack on Kabul airport 'highly likely' in next 24-36 hours: Joe Biden warns

As the western troops are in the final phase of evacuation from the war-torn Afghanistan, Biden said: "The situation on the ground continues to be 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."

More than 1,10,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan via the massive US-led airlift since the Taliban takeover on Aug 15.

Biden said that he had directed to take every possible measure to prioritize force protection, and "ensured that they have all the authorities, resources and plans to protect our men and women on the ground."

"They assured me that they did, and that they could take these measures while completing the mission and safely retrograding our personnel," said the US President, who has been criticised heavily for the troops pull out from Afghanistan leading to the crisis in the South Asian country.

On Thursday, bomb explosions by the Islamic State group targeting the Kabul airport killed more than 100 people including 13 US soldiers and civilians of Afghanistan.

An ambulance is seen at the explosion site near the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2021. The death toll from the Kabul airport attacks on Thursday has reportedly risen to at least 103 /UNI.

Addressing the media, Biden said: "Despite the treacherous situation in Kabul, we are continuing to evacuate civilians. Yesterday, we brought out another 6,800 people, including hundreds of Americans. And today, we discussed the ongoing preparations to help people continue to leave Afghanistan after our military departs."

Condoling the loss of 13 US servicemen, he said: "The 13 service members that we lost were heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest American ideals and while saving the lives of others. Their bravery and selflessness has enabled more than 117,000 people at risk to reach safety thus far."

Earlier the US conducted a drone airstrike on terror group ISIS-K planner in eastern Afghanistan, a day after Biden vowed to retaliate following bomb blasts in Kabul.

Speaking on the same, Biden said the strike was not the last and that his administration would 'continue to hunt down' those responsible for the attack.

"I said we would go after the group responsible for the attack on our troops and innocent civilians in Kabul, and we have. This strike was not the last. We will continue to hunt down any person involved in that heinous attack and make them pay," the US President vowed.

Thursday's terrorist attacks, led by the Islamic State, in the Afghan capital of Kabul left  at least 103 people – 90 Afghan civilians and 13 US servicemen – dead, The Wall Street Journal reported.

As many as 1,338 people have been injured by the terrorist attacks, a source in the Afghan Ministry of Health told Sputnik Friday.