Pentagon: U.S. Will Continue Mission to Evacuate Citizens After Kabul Suicide Bombings

Marine Corps General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. emphasized America's intent to carry out evacuations in wake of Thursday's Kabul airport bombing, saying at a press conference today, "we thought this would happen sooner or later."

McKenzie confirmed the attack was carried out by the Islamic State militant group's Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) and said that the incident was soon followed by shooting by members of the militant group, killing 12 U.S. service members and injuring 15 others.

"We continue to focus on the protection of our forces and the evacuees, as the evacuation continues," McKenzie said. "Let me be clear: While we're saddened by the loss of life, of both U.S. and Afghans, we're continuing to execute the mission."

McKenzie estimated that roughly 1,000 Americans remain in the country. He said the U.S. would do everything in its power to evacuate those who want to leave.

As the evacuation nears its final days, ISIS-K, the dominant ISIS faction in Afghanistan, has mobilized its forces around the Kabul airport. McKenzie said the U.S. had been assessing an ISIS threat for the past several days and he expected the attacks to continue. He added that American forces would work with the Taliban to prevent further casualties.

According to McKenzie, the Taliban has mobilized a security force around the airfield. Now, before evacuees reach this portion of the security perimeter, McKenzie they will be searched by Taliban forces to ensure that explosives are not brought near the airport.

McKenzie told reporters that he hasn't heard anything that would convince him that the Taliban let the attacks happen. Right now, he sees their interests aligning with America's, given the group's desire to take control of the airfield by August 31.

"As long as we've kept that common person purpose aligned, they've been useful to work with," McKenzie said.

The Taliban considers ISIS-K to be an opponent. This stems from the organizations' differing interpretations of Sharia law, a system of rules derived from the holy Quran, a code by which the Taliban justifies the political and cultural practices they hope to exert over Afghan society.

If ISIS-K continues to gain power in the region and manages to persuade the Taliban's more radical members to join their ranks, the Taliban could face allegations of harboring terrorists which would further delegitimize its potential new government and create greater internal division amongst its members.

The U.S. will look to have its citizens and Afghan allies out of the country before any other attacks. However, McKenzie made it clear that the U.S. would not allow these attacks to go unpunished.

"If we can find who's associated with this, we will go after them," he said. We've been clear all along that we're going to retain the right to operate against ISIS in Afghanistan, and we are working very hard right now to determine who is associated with this cowardly attack, and we're prepared to take action against them."

Update- 8/28/2021 - 5:03 PM - This story has been updated with additional information.