28 Sep 2017 | 10:15 PM UTC
Afghanistan: US airstrike in Kabul wounds six civilians Sep. 27 /update 5
US retaliatory airstrike against militant attack mistakenly wounds six civilians in Kabul on September 27; separate IED explosion kills three
Event
According to a statement issued by US authorities on September 27, several civilian casualties were reported after a missile malfunctioned during a raid against the attackers responsible for the assault on Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL) earlier in the day. Local reports indicate that at least six civilians were wounded in the strike. An investigation into the incident is currently underway, and a US-led coalition spokesman later expressed regret for the misfire. An uptick in anti-Western sentiment is likely in light of the circulating report.
The airstrike was in response to a militant attack, claimed by both the Taliban and Islamic State (IS), KBL and coinciding with the unannounced visit of US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis to the country. Airport operations were temporarily suspended following the attack. Although service has since resumed, disruptions and a particularly high security presence should continue to be expected at KBL in the coming days.
In a separate incident, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded near a mosque in the Cinema Pamir area of Kabul on Thursday, September 28, killing three people and wounding 16 others. Heightened security measures in Kabul are to be expected in the coming days following these events.
Context
The attack on KBL started at approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, with the attackers firing mortars and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) at the airport. The attack coincided with visits by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Defense Secretary James Mattis, but neither official were at the airport at the time of the incident. Stoltenberg and Mattis delivered a live broadcast with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in the capital shortly after the attack.
Advice
Individuals present in Kabul are advised to limit movements until the situation stabilizes and ensure close proximity to cover is readily available.
As a general reminder, individuals traveling in Afghanistan should seek professional security advice and support, and continually reassess their personal security.
