United States forces on Friday conducted a drone strike against the Islamic State terrorist group in Afghanistan. It is in retaliation against those who claimed responsibility for the Kabul airport attack.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K), an affiliate of ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility for Thursday’s explosions that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 100 Afghans.
The U.S drone strike, carried out by an MQ-9 Reaper drone and munitions, was targeted at an ISIS-K fighter who is believed to be involved in planning for future attacks.
The strike was in Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan, where ISIS-K had a large presence several years ago before being largely ousted by the Afghan military and the Taliban.
The unnamed ISIS-K planner was said to be riding in a vehicle with one associate in an isolated area, at the time of the strike.
“U.S. military forces conducted an over-the-horizon counterterrorism operation today (Friday) against an ISIS-K planner,” said Capt. Bill Urban, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, in a statement.
“The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan. Initial indications are that we killed the target. We know of no civilian casualties.”
Gatekeepers News reports that the development comes after President Joe Biden vowed to retaliate as he confirms that the bombings were carried out by ISIS-K.
“We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests in our people with every measure at my command,” he had said.
Also, a spokesman of the Taliban on Saturday said it arrested some people in connection with the Kabul airport attack.
The spokesman noted that members of the Taliban’s intelligence service were interrogating those individuals, but did not provide further details.
