Situation Report: Multiple explosions, casualties, outside Kabul airport

3:44 pm EST – Multiple reports of another explosion outside Kabul airport

CBS News’ Eena Ruffini reports another explosion outside the Kabul airport. Many claiming this blast was significantly larger than others throughout the day.

3:40 pm EST: ISIS claims responsibility for the Kabul airport attack

2:50 pm EST – Initial reports indicate a third explosion has occurred in the vicinity of the airport

2:39 pm EST – Fox News’ Jennifer Griffen updates death toll in Kabul attack

Fox News’ Jennifer Griffen tweets that “at least 12 US Service members: 11 US Marines, 1 Navy Medic” were killed in the first explosion today at the Abbey Gate at Kabul airport, according to U.S. officials.

1:14 pm EST – Pentagon confirms that “a number of U.S. service members were killed” in the explosions today

In a statement released by the Pentagon, John Kirby confirmed that “a number of U.S. service members were killed in today’s complex attack at Kabul airport.” In additions to the Americans killed, the Pentagon also stated a number of Afghans died in the attacks.

11:00 am EST – Pentagon confirms U.S. and civilian casualties, second explosion

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed reports of numerous U.S. and civilian casualties following the first explosion near the Abbey Gate of Kabul airport. Kirby also confirmed “at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel,” where Americans had been gathering for rescue operations.

A map of the explosion locations can be viewed here:

Jack Poso 🇺🇸 on Twitter: “Map of reported bombing site at Kabul Airport pic.twitter.com/0kmk28dflC / Twitter”

Map of reported bombing site at Kabul Airport pic.twitter.com/0kmk28dflC

10:49 am EST – Initial reports of explosion at Kabul airport

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby confirmed an explosion took place outside the gates of Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday morning. The Pentagon also confirmed the explosion “resulted in an unknown number of casualties,” corroborating Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary’s report of casualties and fatalities after talking with several eyewitnesses.

Fox News reported that a second explosion has occurred near the Baron Hotel, where Americans were gathering for rescue operations.

The Jerusalem Post reported that the first bombing has killed thirteen people, including children.

The first explosion comes less than an hour after the Pentagon said evacuation efforts in Afghanistan “would not be wrapping up in 36 hours.”

According to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, the explosion appears to be the result of a suicide attack. Fox News’ Jennifer Griffen confirmed this after hearing from a U.S. official that the explosion resulted from a “complex SBIED attack.” Griffen also reported a firefight ensued after the explosion had taken place.

Fox News reports that President Biden has been briefed on the explosion.

British armed forces minister James Heappey said early on Thursday morning that there is “very, very credible” intelligence that an attack from Islamic State militants was in the works targeting those trying to evacuate Afghanistan via the Kabul airport. These comments come after the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan urged Americans who were located outside of the gates to leave immediately “because of security threats outside the gates of Kabul airport.”

The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-k) is an active terrorist affiliate of the Islamic State in Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The group has carried out dozens of attacks targeting civilians and their rival, the Taliban, in Afghanistan over the last year. ISIS-K is in part comprised of foreign fighters from Russia, China and Central Asia. Also it has not been confirmed, ISIS-K is likely responsible for Kabul’s airport explosion.

Thousands of Western citizens are stranded in Afghanistan as evacuation efforts are underway. Secretary of State Antony Blinken estimated on August 25 that 1,500 Americans remain in Afghanistan.