Afghanistan War Update: U.S. Launches Strike On ISIS

..As 13 Americans Killed During Attack On Kabul Airport

The terrorist group, known as Islamic State-Khorasan or ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for the Thursday airport bombing, and President Biden told the extremists that U.S. forces would “hunt you down and make you pay.”

“The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangahar Province of Afghanistan,” said Navy Capt. Bill Urban, a U.S. military spokesman. “Initial indications are that we killed the target. We know of no civilian casualties.”

The strike came as the U.S. Embassy in Kabul warned Americans of ongoing security threats at the capital’s airport and urged them to “leave immediately.”

Here’s what to know
Authorities are notifying families of the 13 service members who were killed in Thursday’s attack. These are some of their names.

The Taliban has requested that the United States keep a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan beyond the Aug. 31 withdrawal of U.S. military forces, the State Department said.

As NATO allies end their evacuations, thousands of Afghan interpreters, embassy staffers and drivers are being left behind.

Ending British evacuations Saturday before everyone can be rescued is ‘heartbreaking,’

The United Kingdom plans to finish its evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan on Saturday, the head of the British armed forces told the BBC.

Gen. Sir Nick Carter expressed regret the mass airlift at the Kabul airport had failed to rescue hundreds of Afghans who are eligible to come to the United Kingdom.

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“We haven’t been able to bring everybody out and that has been heartbreaking,” he said on a Saturday radio program. “There have been some very challenging judgments that have had to be made on the ground.”

The British effort has evacuated more than 14,500 people since Aug. 13, according to government figures.British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who previously said the country’s operation would end late Friday, has estimated that there are up to 1,100 eligible Afghans who “didn’t make it” onto flights out.

Rescue missions in the Taliban-controlled nation remained precarious after an Islamic State attack killed at least 170 people Thursday and 13 U.S. service members. Western officials have warned that additional attacks are likely.

The United States evacuated 4,200 people in 12 hours on Friday, the Biden administration said, adding to the 109,200 already flown out in the rush to get Americans and Afghans to safety before the Aug. 31 departure deadline.