Kansas lawmakers in Washington are pressing President Biden to outline safety plans for Americans and others trying to flee Afghanistan with the Taliban firmly in power amid the threat of more terror attacks.
Reaction was swift after two apparently coordinated attacks through ISIS-K suicide bombers happened near the east edge of Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, killing at least 11 Marines and a Navy medic while wounding at least 15 American service members. Initial reports had as many as 52 total wounded, but the number of others killed or wounded is not immediately clear. There had been “credible” reports of an imminent attack at the airport as late as Tuesday, and on Monday Biden said there was a “serious risk” security could break down because of the ISIS-K presence near Kabul’s airport.
The United States has until the end of the month to evacuate American citizens and others trying to escape the country. Biden had tentatively agreed to hold to the Tuesday deadline, but in a news conference Thursday he said the US will stay until all Americans have left Afghanistan. He also assumed responsibility for the incident and said “these ISIS terrorists” will not deter the evacuation mission.
Saying Americans need “leadership and strength from our commander-in-chief,” Senator Jerry Moran says America “must use every resource available to evacuate all Americans, allies and partners out of Afghanistan and protect our servicemembers on the ground.” Moran also said,” weakness will only make the situation worse and cost more American lives.”
Fellow Senator Roger Marshall chided President Biden’s “aloof approach” to the current troop withdrawal, saying the deaths were “completely preventable” and Biden should announce plans for how the country will respond or resign immediately.
Congressman Tracey Mann agreed, saying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi should reconvene Congress before Tuesday to pass legislation that would prohibit any withdrawal of troops until all Americans are out of Afghanistan.
The Taliban “strongly” condemned Thursday’s bombings and said it would do what it could to bring those responsible to justice.
Afghanistan fell rapidly over the last three weeks after the United States conducted a roughly 20-year military campaign to eliminate the Taliban. As it turns out, the Taliban returned swiftly to power as the Afghan army offered little resistance.
Moran will offer further perspective shortly after 11 am Friday on KVOE and KVOE.com.
