Islamic State suicide bombers kill dozens at Kabul airport

Map locating the international airport in Kabul.

Over 80,000 people have been evacuated since August 14, but huge crowds remain outside Kabul airport hoping to flee the threat of reprisals and repression in Taliban-led Afghanistan.

Islamic State suicide bombers attacked crowds of people gathered Thursday outside Kabul airport hoping to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, killing dozens including 12 US troops. 

The country's new Taliban rulers said the two blasts killed between 13 and 20 people. A health official in the previous government said the toll could rise to 60.

Later, in the wee hours of Friday, a huge blast was heard in Kabul. However Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahadid said this was a controlled explosion by US troops destroying equipment at the airport, a statement that has yet to be independently confirmed.

The airport is the only part of the country under foreign control following the Taliban's return to power on August 15, and huge crowds have massed in the hope of being evacuated.

A health official in the pre-Taliban administration said the death toll could rise to 60, but said he could not be named and other sources could not confirm the figure.

McKenzie said the blasts have been assessed as coming from Islamic State suicide bombers, and that the US airlift would continue despite the attack.

The United States expects more Islamic State attacks in Kabul and is prepared to retaliate, McKenzie told a news conference.

US President Joe Biden had earlier cited an "acute" terrorist threat from the regional chapter of the Islamic State jihadist group.

"The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing targeting civilians at Kabul airport," said a statement released by Mujahid on Twitter. 

Graphic video shared on social media showed bodies lying semi-submerged in a canal adjacent to the airport, where thousands have gathered since the Taliban takeover of August 15 hoping for a flight out.

"The Taliban then started firing in the air to disperse the crowd. I saw a man rushing with an injured baby in his hands."

- 'Truly heartbreaking' -

In another picture, a boy was seen clutching the arm of a man whose clothes were soaked in blood.

Despite security warnings, huge crowds of people desperate to flee the Taliban continued to throng the airport, their bid for a way out becoming increasingly anxious ahead of next Tuesday's deadline set by Biden to end evacuations and withdraw troops.

Several Western allies have already wrapped up their airlift operations including Canada, whose government said it was "truly heartbreaking" to leave behind those who wanted to be rescued.

- Islamic State threat -

It has massacred civilians at mosques, shrines, public squares and even hospitals.

But while IS and the Taliban are both hardline Sunni Islamist militants, they are rivals and oppose each other. 

But many Afghans fear a repeat of the Taliban's brutal interpretation of sharia law, as well as violent retribution for working with foreign militaries, Western missions or the previous US-backed government.

Some of the Afghans massed outside the airport have foreign passports, visas or eligibility to travel, but most do not. 

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Originally published as Islamic State suicide bombers kill dozens at Kabul airport