ISIS takes credit for Kabul explosion while Taliban vows to fight 'Evil' attackers

(News 1st): The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has taken credit through its official news outlet for a deadly blast that killed at least a dozen U.S. military personnel and dozens more Afghans in what was set to be the final days of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Hours after an explosion near Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport killed at least 60 Afghans, ISIS' Amaq News Agency released a statement announcing "around 160 killed and wounded from the American forces and those collaborating with them in a martyrdom attack of the Islamic State near Kabul airport." Citing "military sources," the outlet said that a fighter of the Islamic State was able to penetrate all the security fortifications imposed by the American forces and the Taliban militia around the capital Kabul and managed to reach a large gathering of translators and collaborators with the American army near Kabul airport, and detonated his explosive belt, killing about 60 people and injuring around 100 others. Meanwhile, the Taliban, which has vowed to secure the exit of Afghans willing to leave the country up until the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden, immediately condemned the attack. "The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul Airport," Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement shared on Twitter.