Afghanistan: US and allies warn of Islamic State attack threat at Kabul airport
- Warnings come as the window of opportunity for evacuations closes fast
- The US said it would shift its focus to evacuating its troops in the final two days before the August 31 deadline
The United States and allies urged Afghans to leave Kabul airport on Thursday, citing the threat of an attack by Islamic State (Isis) militants, as Western troops hurry to evacuate as many people as possible before an August 31 deadline.
Pressure to complete the evacuations of tens of thousands of foreigners, and Afghans who helped Western countries during the 20-year war against the Taliban, has intensified. US and allied troops have to switch their focus in the coming hours or days to the logistics of their own withdrawal.
Shots were fired by unknown gunmen at an Italian military plane as it flew out of Kabul on Thursday, an Italian defence source said. It was undamaged.
An Italian journalist on the flight told Sky 24 TG that the plane had been carrying almost 100 Afghan civilians when it came under fire minutes after take-off.
In an alert issued on Wednesday evening, the US Embassy in Kabul advised citizens to avoid travelling to the airport and said those already at the gates should leave immediately, citing unspecified “security threats”.
In a similar advisory, Britain told people to move away from the airport area. Its armed forces minister, James Heappey, said intelligence about a possible suicide bomb attack by Isis militants had become “much firmer”.