The threat of more terrorist attacks looms large as president plans retaliation

The threat of another Kabul attack still exists according to U.S. officials. They said more attacks could come ahead of the Tuesday deadline to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan.

U.S. evacuations are still underway in the wake of two suicide bomb attacks that killed 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members. Those 13 service member include 11 Marines, a Navy sailor and an Army soldier; the military has not identified them.

In the hours after the bombings, General Frank McKenzie said the U.S. would adjust security outside the gates as needed. He said the U.S. may even ask the Taliban to change the location of their checkpoints.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby added “We certainly are prepared and expect future attempts” of terrorism in the coming days.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden promised retribution against those responsible for the Kabul attack in a Thursday evening speech. “For those who carried out this attack, as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget,” President Biden said. “We will hunt you down and make you pay. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.”

Biden put the blame for the Kabul attack on ISIS-K, Afghanistan’s offshoot of the Islamic State group, which is a lethal enemy of both the Taliban and the West. “I’ve also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities,” Biden said. “We will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose in the moment of our choosing.”

Biden addressed the Kabul attack again during Friday’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. “Losing a son or daughter, husband, wife is like being sucked into a big black hole in the middle of your chest. And you don’t think there’s any way out and you wonder what’s happening,” Biden said. “So my heart goes out, our hearts go out to all those who we’ve lost.”