The Taliban terrorist group on Thursday condemned the bombings at the U.S.-held airport in Kabul.
“The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport, which took place in an area where U.S. forces are responsible for security,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
“The Islamic Emirate is paying close attention to the security and protection of its people, and evil circles will be strictly stopped,” he added.
At least two bombings killed and wounded a number of people outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport earlier Thursday, including Americans.
U.S. troops, assisted by soldiers from various allies, have been in control of the airport for about two weeks, facilitating evacuations after the Taliban routed the U.S.-backed Afghan government.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombings, after officials from multiple countries had warned against a possible attack by ISIS-K, an affiliate of the ISIS terrorist group.
CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth McKenzie told reporters on Wednesday that ISIS carried out the bombings.
The Taliban and ISIS have historically feuded.
The United States was relying on the Taliban to control the situation outside the airport, and top U.S. lawmakers said the attack showed that they failed.
“As we wait for more details to come in, one thing is clear: We can’t trust the Taliban with Americans’ security,” Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Thursday.
President Joe Biden “must immediately hold the Taliban accountable,” added Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.).
Biden said last week that “we’ve made clear to the Taliban that any attack on our forces or disruption of our operations at the airport will be met with a swift and forceful response.”
The White House canceled or postponed a slew of briefings and meetings after the bombings and has said little beyond conveying that Biden has been briefed on them.
Military officials confirmed the explosions but said they were still gathering details, including how many were injured and killed.
Other lawmakers were keen to blame ISIS.
Biden “needs to make it abundantly clear that attacks like these carried out by ISIS-K will be met with swift and brutal force resulting in their complete decimation,” Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio) wrote on Twitter. “A failure to do so emboldens ISIS and will lead to more lost American lives.”
