US MILITARY SHARED NAMES OF AMERICANS AND ALLIES WITH TALIBAN, HOPING FOR HELP
The situation at the Kabul Airport turned from a disaster to a human catastrophe that continues to unfold on Thursday, as at least 12 American military members were killed in a suicide bombing, along with scores of Afghans. The attacks at the Hamid Karzai International Airport and a hotel adjacent to the airport came in a series of about seven bombs that exploded, after increased warnings from sources about an impending terrorist strike from the Islamic State, or ISIS.
The military members are said to be 11 Marines and one Navy medic.
But desperate Afghans trying to escape the Taliban remained at the gate, hoping to get out of the country. For many of them, staying in Afghanistan would mean certain death at the hands of the brutal new regime, which President Joe Biden has allowed to take control. An unknown number of Afghans are being executed by the Taliban in the streets of Kabul, and reports have been rampant of Afghan women being raped and taken as sex slaves in Kabul and other places around the country.
The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has left behind over 75,000 military vehicles, thousands of weapons, dozens of planes and drones, and, at this point, the U.S. appears to have abandoned 1,000 Americans as the gates of the Kabul airport are being welded shut, according to reports.
“The loss of US service members in Kabul is heartbreaking,” said Congressman Don Young in a statement. “These brave heroes laid down their lives defending the most vulnerable. As we learn more, join me in praying for members of our military, their families, and the innocent Afghans caught in the path of unspeakable evil.”
“Let today be a reminder that our military risk their lives every day so we may remain free. They are the best of what America has to offer and they are the first to sacrifice the most. May God bless them and their families, and keep watch over those still in harm’s way,” said Kelly Tshibaka, candidate for U.S. Senate.
“Rose and I pray for the families of the service members killed in Afghanistan, and ask all Alaskans to pray with us. The loss of any life in the service of country is heavy. Alaskans know this with having more veterans per capita than anywhere else in America,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
“The manner in which American forces have been removed from Afghanistan is an unmitigated disaster. I call upon President Biden and his administration to do absolutely everything within their power to safely bring home our men and women in uniform, our American citizens still in Afghanistan, and to help the many Afghani men and women who for twenty years supported our country and are now at risk of losing their lives,” Dunleavy said.
“Our deepest prayers and condolences are with the families of those brave, dedicated U.S. service members we lost today in Afghanistan,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan. “As I’ve repeatedly stated, in spite of the horribly-executed withdrawal plan and the recent violent developments, the members of our military must be given the time and the resources to complete their dangerous and noble mission: safely evacuating every American citizen in Afghanistan who wants to leave. To do otherwise will cause an irrevocable breaking of faith and trust with the American people. If this means going beyond the unwise, self-imposed deadline of August 31 to bring every American home, so be it. The Taliban cannot be allowed to dictate whether and how we save, protect, and keep faith with our own citizens.”
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson said, ” Deb and I are heartbroken by the news coming out of Afghanistan. The loss of U.S. Marines and at least one Navy corpsman weighs heavily on us all and we want to share with our military community that Anchorage has your back: we support you, we pray with you, and we grieve with you.
“So much can be said about the failure in leadership currently on display in the withdrawal from Afghanistan, but today we honor the sacrifice of these American heroes and pay gratitude to our military service members still risking their lives in Afghanistan to get our American citizens and allies out of harm’s way,” Bronson said.
Politico reported that U.S. officials have given the Taliban a list of names of American citizens, green card holders, and Afghan nationals who are allies of the U.S., with the purpose of asking the Taliban to allow those people to make their way tot he airport.
“Basically, they just put all those Afghans on a kill list,” said one defense official, according to Politico. “It’s just appalling and shocking and makes you feel unclean.”
According to a press release said to be from the Islamic State, 160 were killed and wounded “among the American forces and their spies in a martyrdom operation against a gathering of them in the periphery of Kabul airport.
“By granting of success from God Almighty, the martyrdom operative brother Abd al-Rahman al-Lughari (may God Almighty accept him) managed to penetrate the security checkpoints imposed by the Crusaders and apostates around Kabul airport, as he plunged into a great gathering of the American forces and the translators and the spies cooperating with them at the Baran camp in the periphery of Kabul airport. Then he detonated his explosive belt on them, which resulted in up to 160 killed and wounded, among them more than 20 personnel from the American forces, and praise be to God for His granting of success.
“This is so and let the Crusaders and their agents know that the soldiers of the Caliphate will continue to fight them until God judges a matter that has been done.”
The U.S. suffered more casualties today in Afghanistan than it has over the past two years. Meanwhile, four hours after the attack, the White House had only put out a proclamation notifying Americans that it is Women’s Equality day:
Former President Donald and former First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement of condolences for the families of the victims of the attack.
“We are praying for the families and loved ones of the Marine heroes killed in Kabul and for everyone who is suffering during this difficult time,” Melania Trump said in a separate statement.
But Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a series of statements on Women’s Equality Day:
“Today, and every day, let us summon the suffragists’ spirit of hope and strive to lift up the voices of women across the nation – because we know this truth: when women succeed, America succeeds,” Pelosi tweeted at noon on Thursday.
“Despite progress, women across the nation still face barriers to full equality: from shameful pay disparities to the unfair economic impacts of the pandemic to the brazen assault on the right to vote. At this moment, Democrats are committed to Building Back Better with Women,” she continued.
The State Department issued a statement: “We can confirm that a number of U.S. Service members were killed in today’s complex attack at the Kabul airport. A number of others are being treated for wounds. We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed or injured.”
