WEB DESK
The Afghanistan capital Kabul was rocked by a series of rocket attacks today. According to reports, the attacks in the vicinity of Kabul airport were intercepted by US Missile Shield. These attacks have come barely a day before the US deadline to complete it’s withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The US pullout will bring curtains to the two decade long military conflict.
The United States military has said that it is investigating the reported killing of nine Afghan civilians after it conducted an airstrike on Sunday.
US Central Command said in a statement that the strike targeted a vehicle carrying at least one person associated with the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group. It said, there were a number of substantial and powerful subsequent explosions after the strike hit the car that was being targeted.
The US has been on high alert since a suicide bomber killed more than 169 civilians and 13 US troops outside the airport last Thursday.
Meanwhile, a US anti-missile system today intercepted multiple rockets flying over the capital towards the airport. The White House said, operation is continuing uninterruptedly at the airport in Kabul after a rocket attack. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the attack.
Meanwhile, Islamic State-Khorasan Group has claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks on Kabul airport today. The claim of responsibility was carried by the militant group’s media arm, the Aamaq news agency.
Earlier, the U.S. President, Joe Biden decided to stick with the August 31 deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi today said, the Afghan people need governments, humanitarians and ordinary people to stay with them and stay the course. In a statement, he said, the international community must meet the critical humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and in countries around the region with robust and urgent response.