There have been twin bomb attacks at Kabul airport which the Taliban say killed at least 13 people.
Explosions took place outside the Abbey Gate – where US and British forces have been stationed – and at a nearby hotel
The Pentagon says there have been a number of US dead in what was a “complex” attack.
US media say four Marines were killed
Boris Johnson says the attack is “despicable” but it will not interrupt the UK’s operation
The attack came after warnings there could be militant attacks, as nations evacuate people ahead of a 31 August deadline.
Meanwhile, Canada has joined several European nations in wrapping up evacuation operations
Huge crowds of people have built up at Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan as people try to flee Taliban rule.
Westerners and Afghans who worked for foreign missions want to leave after Taliban militants came back to power.
A withdrawal brings greater risk: you have fewer troops on the ground, the worries will be over whether there will be another attack like this.
A US president has lots of tools at his disposal – drones, jets, B52 bombers – making sure that the US controls the skies over the airport to allow those last troops to leave.
But this does raise questions as to whether they will speed up this exit.
It was already on a fast track, it may now even be on a faster track because of what has happened.
Pentagon responds to ‘heinous attack’
John Kirby, a US defence spokesman, confirmed American casualties in Thursday’s twin bomb attack.
In a statement posted on Twitter, he said “a number of US service members” were killed and others hurt.
Multiple US media reports, citing officials, say at least four marines have died.
Source: www.bbcnews.com