Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday commented on the deaths of U.S. troops in a suicide attack at a Kabul airport earlier in the day, which also killed numerous Afghan civilians.
“I’m grieved to hear of the service members killed today in Afghanistan, and my thoughts and prayers are extended to their loved ones. Their sacrifice is not in vain. I urge President Biden to continue evacuations until everyone is home safely,” Ivey said in a tweet.
The blast killed at least 12 U.S. service members and wounded 15 others. U.S. officials have said Islamic State affiliate is responsible for the attack, according to news accounts. The attack came as U.S. troops were aiding in evacuations following President Joe Biden’s order to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country.
“I’ve also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike Isis key assets, leadership, and facilities,” Biden said after Thursday’s attack, The Guardian reported. “We will respond with force and precision at our time at a place we choose in a moment of our choosing.”
“We will not forgive, we will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” Biden said.