A number of US soldiers have been killed in two blasts outside Kabul airport, officials have confirmed.
Suicide bombers are believed to have carried out the attacks close to where thousands of people have been desperately waiting to be evacuated out of the country.
The Taliban say at least 13 people, including children, have been killed. Dozens of others are being treated in local hospitals.
The group has "strongly" condemned the attack, which it said took place in an area where US forces are responsible for security.
UK defence sources said one of the blasts took place by a hotel where British troops and journalists have been staying, followed by small arms fire, while the second one was by Abbey Gate.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the UK's evacuation effort in Afghanistan will continue despite the "barbaric" terrorist attack at Kabul airport.
In the US, the Pentagon said the incident resulted in "a number of US and civilian casualties" but the exact figure remains unclear.
The UK's Ministry of Defence has confirmed no UK military or government fatalities have been reported following the incidents.
A statement added: "UK forces are working closely with our partners to provide security and medical assistance."
Russia's Foreign Ministry said at least 13 people were killed in the explosions and another 15 have been wounded.
The Kabul Surgical Centre said 60 people have arrived at its facility with injuries so far.
A British defence source said it is "highly likely" that Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) was responsible for the suicide attacks outside Kabul airport.
The source said the first explosion by the Baron Hotel is thought to have been a suicide bomber. The second explosion at nearby Abbey Gate is thought to have been a car bomb, according to an initial assessment
A US official also said the attack outside the airport is "definitely believed" to have been carried out by the Islamic State group.
A Taliban spokesperson has condemned the suicide attack, saying: "The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul airport, which took place in an area where US forces are responsible for security.
"The Islamic Emirate is paying close attention to the security and protection of its people, and evil circles will be strictly stopped."
President Joe Biden was briefed on the explosion, the White House said.
A No.10 spokesperson confirmed Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been updated on the situation at the airport in Kabul and said he will chair a COBRA meeting later this afternoon.
Live updates on the situation in Afghanistan as the evacuation continues
Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay, who was reporting from the location just over 24 hours ago, said his sources had told him the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber blowing himself up in a canalway.
He added: "We're not certain on the number of casualties, we have to assume a number of civilians, but initial reports suggest to us that American soldiers, not British soldiers but American soldiers have been injured.
"It was so very clearly a dangerous place to be because of the numbers of people coming through, and the fact that there are no real checks on what people are carrying or wearing to get through into this canal area."
Ramsay said the attack "is not inside the airport proper, is on the perimeter wall of the airport, and it's one road that leads to the processing area which is initially set up by the British."
The explosion came after warnings earlier in the day that a "very lethal" terror attack could occur at the airport in a matter of hours.
Following the explosion close to Kabul airport, the Ministry of Defence tweeted: "We are working urgently to establish what has happened in Kabul and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort.
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"Our primary concern remains the safety of our personnel, British citizens and the citizens of Afghanistan. We are in close contact with our US and other Nato allies at an operational level on the immediate response to this incident."
Sky News foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes said she previously spoke with an Afghan interpreter who was waiting outside Kabul airport with his three-month-old baby daughter, three-year-old son and his wife.
He had been waiting five days to be processed and had all the correct documents.
Haynes was unable to get in touch with him after the blast but has now managed to make contact.
A former Marine who runs an animal shelter in Kabul and has been involved in a tussle with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, over securing his exit from Afghanistan, has said he was near the airport at the time of the explosion.
"We're fine but everything is chaos here at the moment," Pen Farthing said.
"All of a sudden we heard gunshots and our vehicle was targeted, had our driver not turned around he would have been shot in the head by a man with an AK-47.
"We've been in the airport, and back out of the airport; the whole thing's a mess. There's not much more I can say at the moment, I need to make sure the animals and everyone is safe."
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced he has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Aviation) further advising airlines to avoid Afghan airspace under 25,000ft, following the attacks.
He added that this will be kept under review.
The UK, the US and other nations have been moving to end the evacuations of tens of thousands of citizens ahead of the 31 August deadline.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FmZ2hhbmlzdGFuLWV4cGxvc2lvbi1vdXRzaWRlLWthYnVsLWFpcnBvcnQtcGVudGFnb24tc2F5cy0xMjM5MTIzONIBYWh0dHBzOi8vbmV3cy5za3kuY29tL3N0b3J5L2FtcC9hZmdoYW5pc3Rhbi1leHBsb3Npb24tb3V0c2lkZS1rYWJ1bC1haXJwb3J0LXBlbnRhZ29uLXNheXMtMTIzOTEyMzg?oc=5
2021-08-26 16:18:54Z
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