The threat to American forces in Afghanistan from the Islamic State (the terrorist group "Islamic State", banned in the Russian Federation) is real, Washington is ready for new attacks. This was stated by the head of the US central command, General Kenneth Mackenzie.
"The threat to our forces, especially from IS, is very real," McKenzie said at a briefing via video link.
According to him, the Pentagon does not exclude that the terrorists "want to continue these attacks" and added that the United States, among other things, is in contact with the Taliban (the movement is recognized as a terrorist and is banned in the Russian Federation).
"We know that IS would like to attack planes if it had the opportunity to do so... We do not think that they have portable anti-aircraft missile systems capable of this," the general added.
McKenzie said that the US authorities intend to continue the mission to evacuate compatriots, citizens of other countries and Afghan refugees from Afghanistan, despite the explosions that occurred at the Kabul airport.
Earlier, McKenzie said that ISIS is behind the bombings in Kabul. According to him, the explosions were "followed by several attacks by IS militants who opened fire on civilians and military personnel"
He also said that as a result of the attack, twelve US servicemen were killed, 15 more were wounded.
The first explosion in the capital of Afghanistan on August 26 thundered at the entrance to the airport, and the second — near the Baron hotel, in the immediate vicinity of the air harbor. The media reports on the involvement of a suicide bomber from the IG (the terrorist organization "Islamic State", banned in the Russian Federation) in the first explosion. The second explosion, according to the Sky News channel, occurred as a result of the explosion of a car bomb.
Earlier on Thursday, British Deputy Defense Minister James Hippy warned that a terrorist attack could occur at the airport of the Afghan capital in the coming hours.
After the explosions, the British Foreign Ministry reported a high threat of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, and recommended that everyone immediately leave the Kabul International Airport.
