“ISKP’s claim of the suicide attack comes as a new threat to evacuations, with at least 12 US soldiers and 60 civilians dead.”
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul airport, a move that came as little surprise to analysts. The group’s Afghanistan affiliate, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), was immediately suspected following the blast.
In a statement via its official Amaq news agency on Telegram, ISKP identified Abdul Rahman al-Logari as the attacker who carried out “the martyrdom operation near Kabul Airport.” The bombing resulted in the deaths of at least 12 US servicemen and over 60 Afghan civilians.
The attack highlights the ongoing “acute” and “persistent” threat posed by ISKP, which has been actively targeting the evacuation efforts in Kabul. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned of the dangers from the group, which is named after Khorasan, a historical region spanning parts of modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, and beyond.
Although ISKP had been relatively quiet after the Taliban’s takeover, analysts suggest the group may have been preparing for new operations. The airport, with its crowds, planes, and vital infrastructure, presented an ideal target for ISKP, who seeks to strike at US forces, Afghans seen as collaborators, and the Taliban, whom ISKP considers apostates.
For ISKP, the attack represents a symbolic victory. It challenges the Taliban’s ability to secure Kabul and reaffirms ISKP’s presence as a significant threat.
