The conditions on the ground at the Kabul airport have gotten much worse. There are reports of shots being fired at an Italian C-130 as it took with Afghan NATO workers this morning:
BREAKING: Shooting at Kabul airport. Italian military says a C-130 transport plane came under fire as it left the Kabul airport in Afghanistan today. The plane was carrying former Afghan NATO workers
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 26, 2021
BREAKING: Italian C-130 reportedly targeted by gunfire after leaving Kabul Airport. No casualties or damage reported.
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) August 26, 2021
There are also reports of an explosion happening at the airport, which the Pentagon has just confirmed:
BREAKING: Reports of a large explosion and gunfire at the Abbey gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul #Afghanistan.
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) August 26, 2021
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
And there are fatalities being reported now:
BREAKING: Massive Explosion Outside Kabul Airport, Afghanistan, Multiple Fatalities Reported
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) August 26, 2021
There was also video this morning of the Taliban using tear gas at the airport:
Now you know why the State Department is telling Americans on the ground in Kabul to shelter in place and stay away from the airport. The whole area is a disaster now and we can’t even get out the remaining 1,500 Americans on the ground there.
But hey, somebody please give Joe Biden some props!
UPDATE: Here’s more on the explosion:
Reports emerging that it's the UK gate at Kabul airport (Abbey Gate) that is the site of a terror attack.
A suicide bomb has been detonated, followed by firefight, according to unnamed US official quoted by @JenGriffinFNC
— Lucy Fisher (@LOS_Fisher) August 26, 2021
U.S. officials tell @Reuters @idreesali114 that the explosion outside #Kabul airport appears to be caused by a suicide bomb & that there are casualties from the explosion, unclear how many or what nationalities. US had warned of 'credible, imminent' threat at the gates.
— Hümeyra Pamuk (@humeyra_pamuk) August 26, 2021
UPDATE 2: At least three American troops were injured in the suicide bombing, but their injuries are unknown. They were reportedly helping check papers at Abbey gate, according to Jennifer Griffin.
UPDATE 3: This from a Reuters reporter covering the White House:
AT LEAST 13 KILLED, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MANY TALIBAN GUARDS WOUNDED IN A BLAST OUTSIDE KABUL AIRPORT – TALIBAN OFFICIAL
— Steve Holland (@steveholland1) August 26, 2021
UPDATE 4 4: A few hours ago the Brits said the attack was imminent and could happen within hours:
#Britain's Armed Forces Minister says there could be an #ISKP attack on the #Kabul airport within hours and the intelligence is "so credible and so imminent" that people are advised to move away. pic.twitter.com/Aljh4zDowA
— Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) August 26, 2021
UPDATE 5: State Dept now saying 4 or more troops wounded:
JUST IN – Four or more U.S. service personnel may have been injured or killed in the explosions outside #Kabul airport, according to the U.S. State Department.
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 26, 2021
UPDATE 6: Below is video of the aftermath and casualties outside the Abbey gate, which has been heavily pixelated because it’s horrible:
JUST IN – Horrific aftermath following the terror attack at the #Kabul airport. Viewer discretion is advised despite being blurred.pic.twitter.com/E9CcoL45MF
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) August 26, 2021
UPDATE 7: It’s now being reported that it’s 3 US Marines who’ve been injured in the explosions:
BREAKING: @ckubeNBC confirms at least 3 U.S. Marines are injured after 2 explosions near Kabul's airport in Afghanistan.
— Austen Alvarez-Bundy (@AustenBundyDC) August 26, 2021