Afghanistan: Officials confirm US-led drone strike against militants near Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Aug. 29 /update 2

Event

US officials have confirmed that an explosion near Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL) in Kabul Aug. 29 was a US-led weaponized drone strike on suspected Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-K) militants. The statement indicated the strike was against a vehicle carrying explosives and suicide bomb attackers seeking to carry out an attack on KBL. Further details on the drone strike are unavailable.

Earlier reports indicated an explosion due to a rocket attack impacted a residential building in the Khajeh Baghra area, which lies immediately west-northwest of KBL.

It is currently unclear if the rocket attack and the drone strike are two separate incidents or the same incident, in which later reporting clarified the nature of the incident.

Context

The drone strike comes after the US embassy in Kabul issued a statement early Aug. 29 urging citizens to avoid travel to KBL due to a "specific, credible threat". The statement comes after US President Joseph Biden Aug. 28 warned that a new terror attack targeting KBL was highly likely within the next 24-36 hours.

Previously, the US and UK embassies issued separate statements Aug. 25 warning citizens of their respective countries to avoid travel to KBL, citing unspecified security threats. The communique from the UK government specifically cited a "high threat of terrorist attack." Following the warning, the Islamic State branch in Afghanistan - known as IS-K - claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing attack that killed 13 US service members and at least 160 Afghan civilians.

The security situation in Kabul remains extremely volatile; further suicide and rocket attacks remain possible throughout Kabul.

Advice

Remain in a secure location. Monitor local developments closely. Maintain contact with diplomatic missions.