The Department of Defense has identified the 13 members of the U.S. service who died in an attack Thursday outside Kabul airport. The suicide attack also killed dozens of Afghans and injured 18 members of the US service.
Maxton “Max” Navy Soldier W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, and Army Staff Sergeant Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee, die in the attack, as well as the following 11 marines:
- Darin T. Hoover, 31-year-old Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Marine Sergeant Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts
- Marine Corps Sergeant Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California
- Marine Corps Corporal Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California
- Marine Corps Corporal Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska
- Marine Corps Corporal Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana
- Launched Corporal of the Marine Corps David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas
- Marine Corps Spearhead Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri
- Rylee J. McCollum, spearhead of the Marine Corps, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming
- Marine Corps Army Chief Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California
- Marine Corps Corporal Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California
He bombing happened at Kabul Airport Abbey Gate hours after the U.S. embassy in Kabul warned Americans to leave the airport for “security threats.” A defense official told CBS News on Friday that the suicide bomb was estimated to contain 25 pounds of heavy explosives. An average suicide vest contains only 5-10 pounds. The vest also had shrapnel to increase its deadly effects. ISIS-K it was later vindicated.
In statements after the attack, President Biden promised retribution, saying, “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will persecute you and make you pay.” Shortly after Biden’s address, the White House announced that the flags would launch half-staff bands until Monday.
The United States announced Friday night that it would launch one drone strike in northern Afghanistan, killing two members of ISIS-K. It was unclear whether members were involved in the bombing.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul continues to encourage people to avoid Kabul Airport.
“Because of security threats at Kabul airport, we continue to advise U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and to avoid airport gates,” the embassy wrote on its website on Friday. at night. “American citizens who are at the door of the Abbey, the East Gate, the North Gate or the gate of the New Home Office should leave immediately.”
It was not immediately known what intelligence prompted the warning, but Friday earlier Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby and Army Divisional General William Taylor, deputy director of joint regional operations personnel , warned that the United States expects more attempted attacks.
Kabul airport has been flooded with people desperate to flee Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country. Since Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 105,000 people, according to the White House. It is planned that the US his withdrawal from Afghanistan ends on Tuesday.
The Department of Defense said the bombing is still under investigation.