Pentagon: Only a suicide author in Thursday's Kabul attack

The Pentagon reports that the author of the suicide bombing was an operative in Islamic State and carried out the attack near the Abiby gate, where Afghans were hoping to join Kabul Airport and where American troops were conducting security checks.

Major General Hank Taylor, deputy director of regional operations at the Pentagon's Joint Staff, told reporters Friday that there was no second explosion near the Baron Hotel near the airport.

He said the explosion at the Ableey Gate was followed by direct gunfire from the north side of the gate. The military has named the incident a complex attack. Major General Taylor said the army has no further details on the identity of those who fired the weapon. He explained that reports of two explosions were the result of initial confusion.

Two officials said 169 Afghans died, though it would take time to confirm the final number of victims. The US said 13 American troops were killed in this incident that marked the bloodiest day for American forces in Afghanistan since August 2011.

The Wall Street Journal reports that crowds were scattered Friday evening after rumours of yet another terrorist attack broke out. A Voice of America journalist who was on Thursday's blast scene said the roads were generally deserted and that the Taliban had blocked moving near the airport.

US President Joe Biden has sworn to punish those responsible for the deadly attack:

The “those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who loves evil to America, know: We won't forgive,” said Mr. Biden in a locally broadcast speech. We'll track you down, we'll find you and you'll pay”.

President Beden said he has ordered commanders to draft operational plans to hit leadership as well as ISIS branch facilities in Afghanistan, known as I SIS-K. When we see it as reasonable and where we properly judge it,”, the president said.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the explosion late Thursday, saying one of its fighters was the one who carried out the suicide bombing and posted a photograph of a person poses with explosive vests, which he presented as the author of the attack.

Meanwhile, about 105,000 people have been evacuated by air vehicles from Afghanistan since 14 August, when the Taliban took Kabul. Since late July the total figure of evacuations is estimated at about 110,600 people. According to officials, 12,500 people were evacuated Thursday.

General Taylor said that more than 300 Americans were removed from the country Thursday, bringing the total number to about 5100 since evacuations began. The U.S. State Department continues work on preparing evacuation documentation, despite increased risks on the ground.

Some portals have been closed, but American citizens, persons with special immigration visas and Afghans threatened with appropriate documentation will continue to be checked to be prepared for departure from airport”.

Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Friday that the Department of Defence has authorised three US military objects to add the previous list to four objects that would provide “support for the evacuation mission of Afghans with special immigration visas and their families, as well as other endangered individuals”.

Asked whether the US could carry out counterattack planning and execution against I The SIS, while continuing evacuations, Major General Taylor said: “we have resources in Central Command, as well as field commanders, which provides us with capacities to carry out the operations that we need to realise“. /voa