U.S. Forces Conduct Drone Strike Against ISIS-K Planners in Afghanistan, Pentagon Reports

What’s the story?

• The Dept. of Defense reported Friday night that U.S. forces conducted an unmanned Reaper drone strike early Saturday morning in Afghanistan that targeted a “planner” for the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) terror group and an ISIS-K associate. Central Command Spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement:

“U.S. military forces conducted an over-the-horizon counterterrorism operation today against an ISIS-K planner. The unmanned airstrike occurred in the Nangahar Province of Afghanistan. Initial indications are that we killed the target. We know of no civilian casualties.”

• In a Saturday morning press briefing, the Pentagon indicated that in addition to the two ISIS-K members killed, a third was wounded in the strike. The Pentagon characterized them as "planners" and a "facilitator" but declined to name them or discuss intelligence about them that led to the strike.
• ISIS-K is believed to be responsible for the August 26th bombing at the Kabul Airport that killed 13 American troops and wounded at least 18 more; is reported to have killed at least 170 Afghans and wounded hundreds more; killed two British nationals and the child of another British national, while wounding two other British nationals. 
• The ISIS-K planner targeted in the airstrike was reportedly not involved with the Kabul Airport terror bombing but was suspected of plotting future attacks. The strike coincided with a renewed warning by the State Dept. for Americans to avoid traveling to the Kabul Airport and stay away from its gates due to ongoing terror threats.
• The ranks of ISIS-K and other terror groups in Afghanistan grew significantly in recent weeks as the Taliban took over the country and released prisoners by the thousands from detention facilities at places such as Bagram. 
• Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Friday that it’s unknown exactly how many ISIS-K prisoners were released but, “Clearly, it’s in the thousands, when you consider both prisons, cause both of them were taken over by the Taliban and emptied, but I couldn’t give you a precise figure.”
• President Joe Biden reportedly ordered the strike after he had said Thursday following the Kabul bombing:

“To those who carried out this attack, 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. I will defend our interests and our people with every measure at my command.”

This is a breaking news story and may be updated.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class William Rio Rosado / Public Domain)