Jen Psaki Says U.S. Efforts 'Uninterrupted' After Kabul Airport Rocket Attack

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said evacuation efforts at Hamid Karzai International Airport in the Afghan capital of Kabul are continuing despite a rocket attack.

Several rockets were fired toward the airport on Monday as the U.S. evacuation operation enters its final hours. The deadline for U.S. troops to withdraw from Afghanistan is August 31.

Witnesses reported that the rockets were fired from a car toward the airport. It appears that six rockets were fired in total, with five aimed at the airport and intercepted by the U.S. missile defense system and there were no casualties.

Psaki's statement said: "National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Chief of Staff Ron Klain have briefed the President on the rocket attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

"The President was informed that operations continue uninterrupted at HKIA, and has reconfirmed his order that commanders redouble their efforts to prioritize doing whatever is necessary to protect our forces on the ground," the statement added.

The rocket attack came after President Joe Biden had warned that a new terror attack in Kabul was likely within 24 to 36 hours. The attempt to hit the airport follows a suicide bombing at the airport's Abbey Gate on Thursday that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 170 Afghans.

A U.S. drone strike in response to the attack killed two prominent members of ISIS-K, the Central Asia affiliate of the Islamic State group (ISIS), which had claimed responsibility for the explosion.

On Sunday, another U.S. drone strike destroyed a vehicle carrying explosives in Kabul and U.S. Central Command (CentCom) said it prevented an imminent attack. However, Afghans have claimed the strike killed up to nine civilians, including children, and the U.S. military is investigating the matter.

Centcom spokesman Bill Urban said: "We are aware of reports of civilian casualties following our strike on a vehicle in Kabul today."

"We are still assessing the results of this strike," he said, adding: "We would be deeply saddened by any potential loss of innocent life."

President Biden said on Saturday that the situation in Afghanistan "continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high. Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24 to 36 hours."

The U.S. has evacuated around 114,000 people from the country since August 14, including around 2,900 who were taken out of Kabul by military and coalition flights in the 24-hour period ending at 3 am E.T. on Sunday.

U.S. officials said on Sunday that they have the capacity to evacuate the remaining American citizens and U.S. Afghan allies from Kabul before the August 31 deadline.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said: "This is the most dangerous time in an already extraordinarily dangerous mission these last couple of days."

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: "We have the capacity to have 300 Americans, which is roughly the number we think are remaining, come to the airport and get on planes in the time that is remaining. We moved out more than that number just yesterday.

"So from our point of view, there is an opportunity right now for American citizens to come, to be admitted to the airport and to be evacuated safely and effectively," Sullivan said.