"Five Rocket Pods Fired at Kabul Airport... US Defense System Intercepts" (Comprehensive)

Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] On the 30th (local time), one day before the deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, several rockets were fired in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and the U.S. military defense system intercepted them, according to major foreign media citing officials.

An official said that five rockets were fired targeting Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul that day, but the U.S. missile defense system intercepted them.

However, he added that it was not certain whether all the rockets were intercepted.

Earlier, U.S. authorities judged that IS-K (Islamic State Khorasan) might launch rocket attacks on the airport and installed missile defense systems in the area, the official said.

On the 28th, U.S. defense authorities reported to President Joe Biden that there was a very high possibility of additional attacks by IS-K within 24 to 36 hours.

Kenneth McKenzie, commander of the U.S. Central Command, told reporters last week, "IS-K may launch rocket attacks," and "We currently have protective measures in place against such potential attacks."

AFP also reported earlier, citing its local staff, that several rockets were heard being fired in Kabul.

The U.S. military also conducted an airstrike on a vehicle in Kabul the previous day that was considered to pose a risk of an additional suicide bombing.

Bill Urban, spokesperson for the U.S. Central Command, said in a statement the previous day, "The U.S. military conducted a drone strike on a vehicle in Kabul today, eliminating an imminent threat from IS-K to Kabul International Airport."

However, reports emerged that civilians were killed during the airstrike.

CNN reported, citing the families of the victims, that nine members of a family, including six children, lost their lives in the airstrike.

At Kabul airport, final evacuation operations are underway ahead of the withdrawal deadline, but the situation remains unstable.

While the U.S. troop withdrawal operation is still ongoing, concerns about additional attacks by IS-K persist.

On the 26th, a suicide bombing attack by IS-K at Kabul airport killed 13 U.S. soldiers. Foreign media reports indicate that the number of Afghan civilian deaths has reached 170.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.