The Protection Division's investigation into the assault that killed 13 U.S. service members and about 170 Afghans on the Abbey Gate on the Kabul airport in August discovered that "a single explosive system" was accountable, based on CENTCOM Commander Common Kenneth McKenzie.
On Friday, the Pentagon launched its report on the investigation into the suicide bombing on the Kabul airport within the chaotic final days of the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan.
McKenzie instructed reporters on the Pentagon that the bombing was not, as beforehand thought, a fancy assault, and no service members or Afghans have been killed or wounded by gunshots. All accidents and deaths have been brought on by the blast. There was some consideration given to the likelihood that the assault had included a gun battle, however the investigation discovered that accidents thought to have been brought on by bullets weren't.
"We now know that the explosively-fired ball bearings brought on wounds that seemed like gunshots," McKenzie mentioned. He added that the "disturbing lethality of the explosive system was confirmed by the 58 U.S. service members who have been killed and wounded — regardless of the common put on of physique armor and helmets that did cease ball bearings that impacted them … however couldn't forestall catastrophic accidents to areas not lined."
The Protection Division additionally confirmed video that's the solely identified footage of the blast. It portrays a person dressed solely in black, and the blast "appears to emanate from the person," mentioned Military Brigadier Common Lance Curtis, who led the investigation.
One other investigator, Lieutentant-Colonel John Naughton, identified to reporters that the realm the place the bomber struck was very densely crowded, and he confirmed them a photograph that "provides you an thought of why there have been so many casualties standing shoulder-to-shoulder, back-to-back."
On August 26, as the huge operation to airlift of U.S. residents and susceptible Afghans was coming to an finish, about 300 yards from Abbey Gate, one of many important entrances to the airport, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghans.
This space was crowded since Abbey Gate was the solely approach into the airport on the day of the assault.
There have been intelligence warnings of an imminent assault by the terrorist group ISIS-Ok, however Abbey Gate remained open in order that British troops at a resort close by may return to the airport.
Intensive surveillance measures have been in place to detect a possible risk, however navy snipers have been unable to establish the bomber hidden among the many 1000's who have been crowded across the gate, hoping to board a flight out of Afghanistan.