Biden to terrorists behind deadly Kabul bombings: ‘We will make you pay’ [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Joe Biden vowed the U.S. would retaliate after the devastating Kabul bombings that killed 13 US troops and at least 60 Afghan civilians.
• In an emotional address Thursday, Biden promised to evacuate any American citizens who want to leave Afghanistan.
• Biden warns the attackers: “We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

President Joe Biden has issued a warning against the masterminds of a double suicide bomb attack in Kabul airport that killed 13 US troops and at least 60 Afghan civilians: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

In a televised address to the nation, the president pledged to evacuate any American citizens who want to leave but declined to extend the August 31st deadline for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

On Thursday, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds gathering at Kabul’s airport. The first explosion took place near the airport’s entrance and the second at a nearby hotel. The Islamic State group, Isis-K, later claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Looking emotional, Biden paid tribute to the fallen, calling them “heroes” who were “engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save the lives of others.” He asked for a “moment of silence” for the fallen American personnel.

Then with anger, he said: “To those who carried out these attacks today – as well as anyone who wishes America harm – know this: we will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”

When asked whether he’s responsible for the situation in Afghanistan, the president said yes, but noted that former President Donald Trump had made the original withdrawal agreement with the Taliban.

“But here’s the deal: You know, I wish you — you know as well as I do that the former president made a deal with the Taliban” Biden said.

The president said he had ordered the Pentagon to “develop operational plans to strike Isis-K assets, leadership and facilities.“ He added the US “will respond with force and precision at our time, at the place we choose and the moment of our choosing.”

The state department said that as of Wednesday, about 4,500 American citizens had been flown out of Kabul, with around 1,500 still to go.

The White House had said that there’s a danger of an attack from the Islamic State, the reason it needs to complete the evacuation by the end of the month.

Republicans who are in mourning for the loss of life withheld their harsh criticisms of Biden.

In a statement, Trump sends his “deepest condolences to the families” of the fallen “brave Service Members” and “the innocent civilians who died today in the savage Kabul attack.”

“This tragedy should never have been allowed to happen, which makes our grief even deeper and more difficult to understand.”

But some GOP lawmakers were more aggressive in their criticisms and even called for Biden’s resignation.

Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, said: “It is now painfully clear he has neither the will nor the capacity to lead. He must resign.”

Source: The Guardian