US forces helping relocate Afghans desperate to escape Taliban rule were on alert on Saturday for more attacks after an ISIL-linked suicide bomber killed at least 175 people. Thirteen US service members and 162 Afghans were killed in the attack outside Kabul airport.
“The unoccupied airstrike happened in Nangarhar province in Afghanistan. First indications are that we killed the target,” said Captain Bill Urban of the US Central Command in a declaration.
“We know of no civilian casualties.”
Thursday’s attack was commanded by an ISIL offshoot in Afghanistan — the Islamic State in Khorasan province, ISKP (ISIS-K).
The news comes as US forces help evacuate Afghans who are desperate to flee Taliban rule on Saturday issued an alarm over possible strikes at Kabul airport. The United States maintains there are still “special, likely” warnings to the airport following the deadly bombings.
New Kabul bank protesters include many government officials demanding their salaries, which they said had not been paid in the past three to six months.
They said even though the banks reopened three days ago, no cash could be withdrawn. ATMs still work, but withdrawals are limited to about $ 200 every 24 hours, which contributes to the formation of long lines.
The Albanian government said 154 Afghans had landed in two separate planes in the capital Tirana.
A government spokesman confirmed the arrival of the first plane with 95 Afghans and the second with 59 Afghans without giving further details.
After their planes landed at Tirana International Airport, two hours apart, the Afghans were taken to a student campus, where they stayed for a few weeks before moving to hotels in other cities.