Public Outcry Grows Over Civilian Deaths Including 6 Children
"Deployment Period Must Be Extended Until U.S. Citizens Are Evacuated"
On the 29th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden (second from the right) and First Lady Jill Biden (first from the right) saluted the remains of U.S. soldiers arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. On this day, 13 sets of remains of U.S. soldiers who were victims of the suicide bombing at Kabul Airport, Afghanistan, on the 26th were transported to Dover Air Force Base. Dover, USA = AFP·Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States is facing controversy over the legitimacy of an airstrike after numerous civilian casualties were reported during a drone strike on a vehicle belonging to Islamic State (IS) terrorists attempting to carry out an additional attack in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. President Joe Biden is facing strong backlash following a suicide bombing near Kabul airport.
On the 29th (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it conducted a drone strike on a vehicle belonging to IS-Khorasan (IS-K), the Afghan branch of IS, which was attempting to carry out an additional attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul city. Bill Urban, spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, stated in a press release that "the imminent threat posed by IS-K was eliminated" and emphasized, "We are confident that the target was successfully hit."
However, immediately after the announcement, reports emerged that civilian casualties occurred during the airstrike, leading to public criticism. CNN reported that shortly after the U.S. military struck the IS-K terrorists' vehicle, a secondary explosion occurred when bombs loaded in the vehicle detonated, killing nine members of a family, including six children. CNN noted, "It is unclear whether the vehicle was actually moving to carry out a terrorist attack or was simply transporting bombs in preparation for an attack."
Criticism against the Biden administration is intensifying. According to an ABC/Ipsos poll released that day, seven out of ten Americans responded that the withdrawal of U.S. troops should be delayed until all Afghans who supported the U.S. military have been evacuated. Eighty-four percent said troops should remain stationed until all Americans have been evacuated. Sixty percent opposed President Biden’s Afghanistan policy.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State issued a joint statement with 100 countries worldwide, including the European Union (EU) and NATO member states, assuring that "all foreign nationals and Afghan residents with travel permits will be allowed to evacuate safely and orderly," and emphasized, "We have received guarantees from the Taliban and promised to continue issuing travel documents even after the withdrawal deadline."
The remains of 13 U.S. soldiers who were killed in the suicide bombing at Kabul airport arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on the same day. The funeral procession was attended by key figures including President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley.
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