1 Pentagon: 13 U.S. Servicemembers Dead, 18 Injured At Kabul Airport Attack
The Pentagon is confirming 13 U.S. service members are dead and at least 18 are injured following attacks at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan yesterday. Local officials in Kabul say there were nearly 100 civilian casualties as well. This is the deadliest single attack against Americans in Afghanistan in a decade. It’s also not altogether surprising given the warning the State Department offered a security warning Wednesday night about the area where the attack occurred. There were two explosions and a gunfight that followed. Following the events, President Biden addressed the nation during a press conference. Biden said "it's been a tough day" and confirmed the attack was carried out by ISIS-K. Among other things, Biden said "we will hunt down everyone who perpetrated the attack." And while he wouldn’t give a timeline, he did say a response is coming. “We will respond with force and precision,” Biden offered. “At our time, at the place we choose, and the moment of our choosing.” American forces are due to leave Afghanistan on Tuesday
2 Report: US Officials Gave Taliban Names Of Americans, Afghan Allies
As Americans reel from the attacks against our troops and allies in Afghanistan yesterday, Politico.com is reporting that there’s another reason Americans and Afghan allies may be having such a tough go in their attempts to get to the Kabul airport for an airlift. Politico is reporting that American officials have literally given the Taliban a list of names – not just of American citizens, but also green card holders and Afghan allies. While the intent may have been to assists those people in getting through checkpoints, to assist in their exit, others say the result is decidedly different. The move, as one defense official noted “just put all those Afghans on a kill list.” The officials, who spoke anonymously, added, “It’s just appalling and shocking and makes you feel unclean.” When asked about the report, President Biden replied that he wasn’t aware of such lists, but also didn’t deny their existence.
3 Tropical Storm Ida Heads Into The Gulf
A new tropical storm in the Caribbean Sea could gain strength and hit the United States in a few days. While there is no word yet exactly when or where Tropical Storm Ida could make landfall, the National Hurricane Center said it will pass western Cuba today. There is a possibility the storm will rapidly intensify when it goes through the Gulf of Mexico because the Gulf has warm temperatures and upper-level winds may create favorable conditions for strengthening. What’s most concerning? Not just that Ida could become a major hurricane, but also – that New Orleans is in her cross-hairs. While forecasters try and get a better handle on what will happen with Ida, storm surge watches have been posted from the Texas/Louisiana to the Alabama/Florida border. A tropical storm watch has also been posted from the Mississippi/Alabama to the Alabama/Florida border.