Taliban killed organizer of Kabul airport attack that killed 13 US soldiers

(Patria) - The Taliban killed an Islamic State militant who was the "brain" behind the suicide attack on the Kabul International Airport in 2021, in which 13 American soldiers and a large number of civilians were killed during the chaotic evacuation of the United States from the country, US officials said.

The bombing occurred on August 26, 2021, as US troops were trying to help Americans and Afghans flee in the chaotic aftermath of the Taliban's takeover, Reuters reported.

"He was a key ISIS-K official directly involved in planning operations such as Abbey Gate and is now no longer able to plan or carry out attacks," said White House spokesman John Kirby, referring to the "Abbey" gate at Kabul airport where the explosion occurred.

He did not name the deceased. The Afghan branch of Islamic State, known as Islamic State Khorasan or ISIS-K, after the old name of the region, is an enemy of the Taliban. Fighters loyal to Islamic State first appeared in eastern Afghanistan in 2014, and later penetrated other areas.