Hello and welcome to bbc world news. We are staying with those events in afghanistan. Theres been a Suicide Bombing at Kabul Airport in afghanistan, where crowds were gathered in the hope of getting on a flight to escape taliban rule. Taliban officials said at least 13 people were killed. It comes after days of warnings from western Intelligence Agencies that an attack could be imminent. Let me bring you up to date with what we know So far. The Press Secretary for the us secretary of defence has called it a complex attack that resulted in a number of us and civilian casualties. The Emergency Hospital says 60 injured people have been taking their So far. The pentagon has alSo confirmed at least two explosions, which happened near to one another outside the perimeter of the airport. 0ne Blast happened close to the airports Abbey Gate on the other close to the nearby Baron Hotel. The hotel had been used by Some western nations as a Staging Point for evacuation since the airlift began. 0ur Afghanistan Correspondent Secunder kermani gave us this update in the past hour. Details still emerging on this, but from what we understand, there was at least one Explosion Close to the abbey Gate Entrance to the airport. Both british and american as well as other international troops had been stationed there. Large crowds of desperate afghans had alSo been there, trying to get inside the airport. We are alSo getting reports that there was a second Explosion Close by, close to the secure compound where those being evacuated by the british embassy were being taken to. All suggestions at the moment that this attack was carried out by the islamic State Group. Western security services had warned all day about the possibility of an attack by isis, saying one was imminent. The group is much less powerful than the taliban here in afghanistan, but it has a history of carrying out devastating, horrific attacks, often on very Soft Targets and this would have been a pretty Soft target because of the chaos around the airport. Taliban forces have been there at times, checking Some peoples documents, filtering them into different queues, but every time i have been there, i have never seen people being patted down and searched and even if they were, of course, by the time a Suicide Bomber reaches that point, then it is too late, really, to prevent horrific casualties. Some Video Being Shared online showing piles and piles of dead bodies, So expect the casualty figures to rise, unfortunately. As you are speaking, we are seeing Some of the still images from the area, with casualties being taken away. The situation is still very fluid, with information coming in, but what are you hearing about Casualties Numbers . It is difficult at the moment, partly because we are in a state of flux right now, So we still have a serving Government Health Minister from the previous government. But obviously, we have a new government, well, we dont, but the taliban are in charge. So information is not coming out in the way it would have previously. From what we are understanding from us Sources and a number of us Soldiers, there have been reports of around three us Soldiers injured, local media saying that 13 people were killed in total, and i expect the vast majority of these victims to be ordinary afghans, that is So often the case, has been So often the case throughout this horrendous conflict, of course. I heard you reporting earlier, when of course those Intelligence Reports were warning of an imminent attack and you are making the point that the information, despite it being known, it simply didnt cut through, in terms of the numbers of desperate people there at the airport who were still coming, who were still staying. Thats exactly right. So many people who were there, and were talking about thousands, in such a state of Confusion And Desperation that one, they are not going to be hearing this kind of information, they are not going to be receiving that. They are hearing all kinds of other rumours and are just trying to focus on getting out of the country. The other thing is that they have endured So much already to get to this point, many have camped out for days in dire conditions, So. What may have seemed to them as a vague or possible, hypothetical threat earlier in the day would not have been enough to put them off from going to the airport. There would have been large crowds there still. All the reports i am getting indicate there was a large crowd at the time of this explosion. Secunder kermani. Barbara Plett Usher is in washington. Have we heard anything from the White House So far . We have we heard anything from the White House So far . Have we heard anything from the White House So far . We havent, the only official White House So far . We havent, the only official communication White House So far . We havent, the only official communication we White House So far . We havent, the only official communication we have | only official communication we have had is from the pentagon and that hasnt been involving very much information. The spokesman has said there are a number of us and civilian casualties, implying that there are us Military Casualties because he makes that distinction between us and civilian. We have us Media Reporting that between three and five Sonnel'>Military PerSonnel have been injured. This of course would been injured. This of course would be the scenario that the us was wanting to avoid. Probably the majority of those dead or wounded are afghan civilians, but for the administration, they dont want to have us casualties at The End of this Evacuation Effort. That is the reaSon is white President Biden was reluctant to extend the deadline. Why. Heber had begun warning last week about the possibility of an attack by the islamic State Group and this is the kind of scenario that intelligence seems to be suggesting as there is one in scott more and more specific, and they do imply there was very specific intelligence because the State Department said two americans yesterday not to go to three gates, including this one, Abbey Gate. This is Something that they seem to have seen coming. In terms of the situation in washington, everything is on hold. We were supposed to have everything from the pentagon an hour and a half ago, that was a regular briefing. That has been delayed indefinitely. The president was supposed to be meeting the israeli Prime Minister, but that has alSo been postponed. Mr biden is on the Situation Room together with the chairman of the joint Situation Room together with the chairman of thejoint Chiefs Of Staff and other people, watching what is happening, getting the latest information on the situation on the ground and the latest on casualties. On the ground and the latest on casualties casualties. Briefly, because a number of casualties. Briefly, because a number of guests casualties. Briefly, because a number of guests i casualties. Briefly, because a number of guests i have casualties. Briefly, because a i number of guests i have talked casualties. Briefly, because a number of guests i have talked to in the last hour, very knowledgeable, making the point they now totally anticipate that the americans and others will not be able to get the citizens out by the 31st deadline. Are you hearing anything from the pentagon about whether fights are continuing or have been passed . Were not hearing anything official about whether are being paused or are continuing. We know the flights are continuing. We know the flights are taking off or have been taking off from a secure place within the airport. That the military has always Made the point that it was securing that area and that the caliban or securing what is happening outside the airport. Taliban. We have no indication of that. Taliban. We have no indication of that. ,. ,. ,. , that. The situation is fluid on the round. That. The situation is fluid on the ground more that. The situation is fluid on the ground. More detail that. The situation is fluid on the ground. More detail coming that. The situation is fluid on the ground. More detail coming all. That. The situation is fluid on the l ground. More detail coming all the time. Lets get the latest with our diplomatic correspondent. It is the Attack Everyone feared, Smoke And Gunfire on the edge of Kabul Airport, two explosions in rapid succession in an area packed with desperate civilians. Shock and panic as the injured are ferried to hospital. Kabul is used to atrocities but this is the first of its kind since the city fell. Targeting the very people most desperate to leave. Translation people started running awa and we translation people started running away and we got translation people started running away and we got out. Translation people started running away and we got out. I translation people started running away and we got out. I saw translation people started running away and we got out. I saw at translation people started running away and we got out. I saw at least. Away and we got out. I saw at least four or 500 people there. The explosion was really powerful, half were in the water, others on the ground outside. We carried the wounded hero on stretchers and my clothes are completely blooded. It happened on the airport perimeter, one explosion at the Abbey Gate, the other at the nearby Baron Hotel where evacuees are being processed. Last night, britain, America And Australia warned that such an attack, do not travel to the airport. If you are in an area, move toa airport. If you are in an area, move to a safe location and wait for further advice. Further advice. The threat is credible further advice. The threat is credible. It further advice. The threat is credible. It is further advice. The threat is credible. It is imminent, further advice. The threat is credible. It is imminent, itl further advice. The threat is| credible. It is imminent, it is lethal. We wouldnt be saying this if we were not genuinely concerned about offering islamic state a target that is unimaginable. H0 target that is unimaginable. No Urou Target that is unimaginable. No group has yet said it carried out the attack, but on Tuesday President biden had this morning. The the attack, but on Tuesday President biden had this morning. Biden had this morning. The longer We Sta , biden had this morning. The longer We Stay. Starting biden had this morning. The longer We Stay, starting with biden had this morning. The longer We Stay, starting with the biden had this morning. The longer We Stay, starting with the acute We Stay, starting with the acute growing risk of an attack by a Terrorist Group known as Isis K, which is this one enemy of the taliban as well, every day we are on the ground, is another day we know Isis K is seeking to target the Airport And Attack both the us and Allied Forces and innocent civilians. Allied forces and innocent civilians. ,. , civilians. This morning the Prime Minister visited civilians. This morning the Prime Minister visited the civilians. This morning the Prime Minister visited the crisis civilians. This morning the Prime Minister visited the Crisis Centre | minister visited the Crisis Centre at northwood where britains Evacuation Effort is being run. Stati are still in touch with former afghan interpreters and others waiting to get out. BorisjohnSon says the overwhelming majority have now left and for those who havent. Now left and for those who havent now left and for those who havent. ~. ,. , ,. , now left and for those who havent. ~. ,. , havent. We hope to continue to be able to say havent. We hope to continue to be able to say to havent. We hope to continue to be able to say to people, havent. We hope to continue to be able to say to people, well, havent. We hope to continue to be able to say to people, well, you havent. We hope to continue to be able to say to people, well, you canl able to say to people, well, you can come out when is the key things that we are saying to the caliban, to the the new authorities in kabul, is to engage with the west. To unlock those funds, Safe Passage is for those funds, Safe Passage is for those who want it, it is the condition. Those who want it, it is the condition. �. ,. ,. , condition. Afghans largely ignored warninus to condition. Afghans largely ignored warnings to avoid condition. Afghans largely ignored warnings to avoid the condition. Afghans largely ignored warnings to avoid the airport, condition. Afghans largely ignored| warnings to avoid the airport, such as their determination to be. But now horrific scenes may hasten The End of this vast, chaotic mission. Im joined now byjenna Ben Yehuda President and Chief Executive Officer of the truman national security project, which is coordinating with other groups to try to evacuate afghan allies. Previously, she worked in the 0bama And Bush State Departments. Welcome to the programme. I know you are on conversations with people on the ground as he tried to get people out. What have you heard since these attacks . ~ out. What have you heard since these attacks . , ~ ,. ,. , attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding in attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding in kabul attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding in kabul right attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding in kabul right now attacks . Thank you. It is true, what is unfolding in kabul right now is i is unfolding in kabul right now is what we have long feared. And indeed what we have long feared. And indeed what the us embassy had warned was in fact quite imminent, So we know there are casualties on the ground, that us servicemembers have been reported amongst those, caliban as well. I think it is time for the international community to send a swift message to the caliban. If they cannot provide secure access to they cannot provide secure access to the airport and surrounding, then the airport and surrounding, then the us troops should be able to do that. That is part of the agreement up that. That is part of the agreement up until august the 31st. Essen that. That is part of the agreement up until august the 31st. Up until august the 31st. Even as Ou Sa up until august the 31st. Even as yOu Say that. Up until august the 31st. Even as yOu Say that. You up until august the 31st. Even as yOu Say that, you will up until august the 31st. Even as yOu Say that, you will recognise l up until august the 31st. Even as. YOu Say that, you will recognise how complicated that scenario would be . Certainly. The taliban Made a commitment, the us has honoured their promise and all of this. The caliban has not. Underreported has been the massive amount of checkpoints, the surge is the taliban have conducted, the homes of us interpreters, making passage to the airport. Enormously challenging during this environment. That needs to change. The Evacuation Date the president has set its august 31. The us has honoured that. The taliban need to keep up its end of the bargain and international community would do well to press for that. If the taliban can secure the airport, the taliban can secure the airport, the us can do it for them now is the time. ,. ,. ,. ,. ~. , time. Even before the attack today, ou were time. Even before the attack today, you were writing time. Even before the attack today, you were writing a time. Even before the attack today, you were writing a political time. Even before the attack today, you were writing a political piece i you were writing a political piece where you were quoted as saying, i dont think the president s Rhetoric Matches conditions on the ground. Describe from me what you see as a mismatch. , �. , mismatch. President biden had committed mismatch. President biden had committed to mismatch. President biden had committed to the mismatch. President biden had committed to the evacuation i mismatch. President biden had committed to the evacuation of mismatch. President biden had. Committed to the evacuation of us partners and allies, about 250,000 folks who were eligible for a special immigrant Visa And Access to Safe Passage in the united states as a result of having served and supported us service members throughout the 20 year conflict. It is now looking like two thirds of those folks will be left behind. The conditions on the grounds of the last ten days have been far more chaotic than the president would have suggested. I think we have seen Some of that language tempered in recent days, as the images on the ground have a test, it is an enormously chaotic environment. At the numbers dont add up, the mass is not there. It is in all likelihood quite possible that us members, that american citizens, will be left in the country along with thousands and thousands of us partners and allies. Partners and allies. Really quickly, because we partners and allies. Really quickly, because we are partners and allies. Really quickly, because we are out partners and allies. Really quickly, because we are out of partners and allies. Really quickly, because we are out of time, partners and allies. Really quickly, because we are out of time, tell. Partners and allies. Really quickly, l because we are out of time, tell me Some of the stories that have mostly struck home to you in terms of the people you are dealing with on the ground, as they grapple the difficulties they are having in terms of trying to navigate themselves out of the country. Members around the country have worked tirelessly to bring family members, eligible applicants out, people they have served alongside. We are getting Text Messages that are saying the new got me through, i am on a plane, i am safe, thanks to you. Many people to third Country Landing locations. Those efforts will not stop, the 31st is not our deadline and our efforts will continue. Deadline and our efforts will continue deadline and our efforts will continue. ~ ,. ,. Deadline and our efforts will continue. ,. , continue. Thank you very much for takin the continue. Thank you very much for taking the time continue. Thank you very much for taking the time to continue. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak continue. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak to continue. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us continue. Thank you very much for taking the time to speak to us live j taking the time to speak to us live from washington. Lets talk now to Jonathan Schroeder who is an analyst who been in afghanistan for the us and the years. Thank you again for being with us live from tampa. Your thoughts in terms of what has happened over the last two or three Hours . It happened over the last two or three Hours . ,. , � ~ Hours . It is terrific. I dont think there is any Hours . It is terrific. I dont think there is any question Hours . It is terrific. I dont think there is any question about Hours . It is terrific. I dont think there is any question about it. If you have seen the videos, im sure youve seen Some of them, they are available on Social-media'>Social Media of the bodies on the streets, outside the airport it is horrific. 0f bodies on the streets, outside the airport it is horrific. Of the being will barrelled to the hospital, it is atrocious to see. Especially given that there were warnings that isis wanted to carry out this type of attack against these Targets. D0 out this type of attack against these Targets. Out this type of attack against these taraets. ,. ,. , ~ these Targets. Do you think there was anything these Targets. Do you think there was anything that these Targets. Do you think there was anything that could these Targets. Do you think there was anything that could have these Targets. Do you think there l was anything that could have been done that wasnt done or do you think in the chaos of the situation that we have seen at kabul international airport, there were too many Targets to defend . There were certainly too many Targets to defend . There were certainly a too many Targets to defend . There were certainly a hard too many Targets to defend . There were certainly a hard situation too many Targets to defend . Liver were certainly a hard situation to secure completely. But that said, it is worth asking what did that Security Environment look like, to the extent that it existed. Really, the extent that it existed. Really, the us, uk, and the military are there, were responsible for securing there, were responsible for securing the perimeter of the airport itself and the areas that were contained within the airport. The taliban took responsibility as they now government of afghanistan for securing the rest of kabul, which would have included the approaches to the airport that these isis members used. While it will be tempting to place blame on international military for not disappearing these areas, billy i think the blame resides with the taliban. This is part of what it means to be a government, they have to secure the city from the likes of isis terrorists who seek to attack people inside of it. figs Isis terrorists who seek to attack people inside of it. People inside of it. As you are speaking. People inside of it. As you are speaking. We people inside of it. As you are speaking, we are people inside of it. As you are speaking, we are seeing people inside of it. As you are i speaking, we are seeing pictures people inside of it. As you are speaking, we are seeing pictures of the many casualties been taken away and taken to hospital. I want to read before asking the next question, an Eyewitness Account was paying talking to the News Agency afp, saying that when people first heard the explosion, there was total panic. The taliban started firing into the air to disperse the crowd. I saw a man rushing with an injured baby in his hands. That tallies with what we heard earlier from taliban Sources, that children had been killed in Todays Attack. Certainly, the number of casualties keeps growing and another eyewitness was saying that people were standing at the Airport Gate for evacuation when the Airport Gate for evacuation when the blast happened. They are carrying injuries and deaths and my cousin was alSo wounded on his leg, and we have brought him to after eyewitness just describing what it was like to be there with reports of over 150 injured people being taken to hospital. That is giving you more of a picture of what has been happening. What you are describing right at the start of this interview, let me ask you a next question which is, what do you think should happen now . I question which is, what do you think should happen now . Should happen now . I think the first thin is to should happen now . I think the first thing is to take should happen now . I think the first thing is to take care should happen now . I think the first thing is to take care of should happen now . I think the first thing is to take care of the should happen now . I think the first thing is to take care of the wounded J Thing is to take care of the wounded and injured there to make sure that they are ok. At least there were pictures of lots of these individuals been taken to local hospitals and i have seen tweets from Some of the international organisations in kabul who provide medical support saying they have seen injured patients come to them as well. First and foremost, try and take care of those who have been injured and it looks, from afar, but thatis injured and it looks, from afar, but that is happening. The second thing is to try and figure out what exactly happened. How did these bombers get to where they got too . What roots did they take and checkpoints to get through . That is going to be on the taliban to Sort that out. I imagine the us military, which has been reported to be in inconstant which has been reported to be in Inconsta Nt Contact which has been reported to be in inconstant contact with elements of the taliban in terms of trying to coordinate security, i expect they will be Sharing Information and trying to find out how and why this happened who are said to be in constant contact. This happened who are said to be in constant contact. Constant contact. This is the immediate constant contact. This is the immediate concern constant contact. This is the immediate concern before l constant contact. This is the immediate concern before former us Security Officials have been talking about the danger of afghanistan becoming a magnet for terrorists. Longer term, becoming a magnet for terrorists. Longerterm, how becoming a magnet for terrorists. Longer term, how big is your assessment . Longer term, how big is your assessment . ,. ,. ,. , assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at the assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at the us assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at the us had assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at the us had hoped assessment . There is a great risk of that, subtly at the us had hoped to l that, subtly at the us had hoped to maintain Some type of presence at its embassy, Some type of presence in the country is not a military one. That would help eliminate Some of the threats of a time. In what appears now to be the absence of that type of presence by the us as well as many western countries and other countries, afghanistan really has the risk of turning into a bit of an intelligence black hole. That combined with clearly the inability of the taliban to secure 100 of the country, at least So far, provides a space for the likes of isis and other groups to do exactly these types of things. There is a real concern about this going forward. We are to leave it, but thank you So much for your time. Let me bring you the latest line for washington. The News Agency reported that us officials have said today they are concerned that further attacks could occur at Kabul Airport following those two twin blasts suspected by Suicide Bombers. As they are making their assessment in the pentagon, their assessment in the pentagon, the White House, clearly the concern evident that there could be further attacks after what has happened in the last couple of Hours. Lets bring on the Sor'>Assistant ProfesSor of law at the american university of afghanistan in kabul. I know you have been talking to people in kabul. Tell me in terms of what people have been saying to you, recount Some of that. First people have been saying to you, recount Some of that. People have been saying to you, recount Some of that. First of all, horror. Recount Some of that. First of all, Horror A recount Some of that. First of all, Horror A Lot Recount Some of that. First of all, horror. A lot of recount Some of that. First of all, horror. A lot of afghans recount Some of that. First of all, horror. A lot of afghans thought i horror. A lot of afghans thought those days of explosions were behind them, just because now the taliban were in charge, that illusion has been shattered for many afghans, thinking that the future it may not look that different from the past in terms of security. The fears there. Everyone i talked to, they said the earlier initial reports cannot be true because they said we saw at the airport, it was too crowded, it doesnt make sense. So both fearing there were more lives lost and of what the future might hold. Those are the two sentiments that most people i talk to Share. It are the two sentiments that most people i talk to Share. People i talk to Share. It alSo rovided people i talk to Share. It alSo provided a people i talk to Share. It alSo provided a snapshot people i talk to Share. It alSo provided a snapshot of people i talk to Share. It alSo j provided a snapshot of where people i talk to Share. It alSo provided a snapshot of where we are in afghanistan because we had those warnings from Intelligence Agencies and they were very clear warnings about an and they were very clear warnings aboutan imminent and they were very clear warnings about an imminent threat, and to get to So many people at the airport stayed at the airport and working. AbSolutely, a lot of people knew the risk. Especially afghans who chose to go there and tried the chances of getting out of the country and it tells you how desperate they felt, that they were willing to take that risk. Foreign nationals were told not to, we dont know how many decided to ignore the advice and go in, but afghans certainly didnt feel like it Made sense for them to rest alive despite these warnings to get a chance out of the country. As this deadline is approaching, everything is heightened in the country, especially for afghans who feel like they would not be a priority beyond august to 31st. Me priority beyond august to 31st. We are talking to you from istanbul. I am not sure why you are in istanbul. Have you got doubts about returning to kabul . Have you decided to go back . Have you decided to stay out of the country . I back . Have you decided to stay out of the country . Back . Have you decided to stay out of the country . I was on my way back to afghanistan of the country . I was on my way back to afghanistan having of the country . I was on my way back to afghanistan having finished of the country . I was on my way back to afghanistan having finished a to afghanistan having finished a fellowship at Oxford And Ijust Made a pass here because of the events that have unfolded in the country and the pace at which they have unfolded. I dont know if it will be a place i can continue to work, teaching voice my opinion. Certainly i would go back, it is my home, but like millions of afghans, i dont know what the future may hold. The indications, we are getting bits of it as the images coming into focus, it as the images coming into focus, it is not a promising picture. It promises the future may be worse than the past. Promises the future may be worse than the past than the past. That is a very bleak assessment than the past. That is a very bleak assessment. Thank than the past. That is a very bleak assessment. Thank you than the past. That is a very bleak assessment. Thank you very than the past. That is a very bleak| assessment. Thank you very much than the past. That is a very bleak assessment. Thank you very much for talking to us from istanbul. As we heard a little earlier, the us and uk are warning about the threat of those attacks, those warnings that will come four Hours before from the approach. Watching those events for the last few Hours has been frank gardner. As the White House and as foreign capitals make their assessments, this evening, where do you think we are, both of the evacuations and going forward in the next couple of days . Next couple of days . There are no Easy Answers next couple of days . There are no Easy Answers as next couple of days . There are no Easy Answers as to next couple of days . There are no Easy Answers as to how next couple of days . There are no Easy Answers as to how to next couple of days . There are no. Easy answers as to how to progress this safely and finish the evacuation. 0ne this safely and finish the evacuation. One of your people were suggesting pushing us troops out into the city, if you do that you simply present isis with yet more Targets. They have been looking for Targets. They have been looking for Targets of opportunity, certainly the last time i was in kabul, the place had plenty of Blast Walls around anything to do with security. Those have started to be taken down. The Nato Force in kabul protected itself pretty well. Isis tended to attack Soft Targets like hospitals and Girls Schools and other civilian Targets. It would be incredibly dangerous for the us to move its forces out, especially as they would alSo be at the mercy of taliban compliance. The one encouraging factor from all of this is there are contacts between the cia and the taliban, because essentially they are on the same page in terms of trying to stop terrorist attacks. The taliban has suffered from these attacks. Yes, the Targets may have been westerners and afghans seeking to get out to the west, but the taliban are alSo casualties from this. There are two ways of looking at this. One, you could say this is because they are fellow jihadists and the taliban are to blame, the other is to take a realistic politic view of it which is the taliban are in control now, deal with it and you are going to have to work out Some kind of Modus Operandi with them to essentially Share Some kind of intelligence to stop these attacks happening. If the taliban dont cooperate, they are not going to be part of the international community, but i think they will want to. Thanks for being with me over the last couple of Hours. As the various details after this attack have emerged, and for your analysis. Thanks very much. I know you have got to go away. Eight few days ago, this former swedish minister described the fall as a dark day without consequences. He is now chair of the european council, he joins me live from stockholm. Welcome to the programme. We have had a couple of Hours to see what is happening. What is your assessment . It is Hours to see what is happening. What is your assessment . Is your assessment . It is horrible. It underlines is your assessment . It is horrible. It underlines the is your assessment . It is horrible. It underlines the necessity is your assessment . It is horrible. It underlines the necessity of it underlines the necessity of completing the evacuation, not giving up and doing whatever can be done to leave no one behind. It is going to be much more demanding under the circumstances, and in terms of the Security Corporations with the taliban and perhaps trying to novel ways of helping the foreigners and the most exposed afghans to get out. What foreigners and the most exposed afghans to get out. Afghans to get out. What do you think novel afghans to get out. What do you think novel ways afghans to get out. What do you think novel ways includes . Afghans to get out. What do you think novel ways includes . I afghans to get out. What do you j think novel ways includes . I was going to ask you after the start of your answer, going to ask you after the start of youranswer, is going to ask you after the start of your answer, is a change of tactics required . That is what you are suggesting. It required . That is what you are suggesting required . That is what you are suggesting. It is difficult for me to say without suggesting. It is difficult for me to say without knowing suggesting. It is difficult for me to say without knowing the suggesting. It is difficult for me to say without knowing the details, but i have been seeing the americans are using helicopters to pick up people from other locations outside. Probably unknown locations, and doing that at short notice, in order not to give Targets. That will have to be left to the commanders on the ground. They are abSolutely doing their utmost in this situation, So i think we have to leave it to them. Some novel approaches might clearly be helpful. It is Some novel approaches might clearly be helful. ,. , , Some novel approaches might clearly behelful. ,. , , be helpful. It is not Ust Us Forces and international be helpful. It is notjUst Us Forces and international forces be helpful. It is notjUst Us Forces and international forces that be helpful. It is notjUst Us Forcesj and international forces that need to make those decisions, there has to make those decisions, there has to be an agreement with the taliban. What do you think about about the levers of influence we have over them . H levers of influence we have over them . ~. , levers of influence we have over them . ~. ,. , levers of influence we have over them . ~. ,. , them . I think, as we have pointed out previously. Them . I think, as we have pointed out previously, this them . I think, as we have pointed out previously, this was them . I think, as we have pointed out previously, this was an them . I think, as we have pointed out previously, this was an attack| out previously, this was an attack directed against those who wanted to leave, but an attack against the taliban as well. Isis is there to challenge the taliban, and taliban has said they will do their utmost to have Some secure and safe exits but there that are allowed to exit. Isis is challenging them. It might well be that this calls for intensified Dialogue And Cooperation with the taliban in order to handle it very competitive situation. This shows the complexities of the task that those struggling at the airport had. It that those struggling at the airport had. ,. , that those struggling at the airport had. ,. ,. , had. It really does, that is in the immediate had. It really does, that is in the immediate future. Had. It really does, that is in the immediate future. As had. It really does, that is in the immediate future. As i had. It really does, that is in the immediate future. As i said had. It really does, that is in the immediate future. As i said in i had. It really does, that is in the l immediate future. As i said in the introduction, you have been writing about the fall of the government as about the fall of the government as a dark day that has dark consequences. In your view, what are those dark consequences . Me consequences. In your view, what are those dark consequences . Those dark consequences . We have consequences those dark consequences . We have consequences first those dark consequences . We have consequences first and those dark consequences . We have consequences first and foremost. Those dark consequences . We have i consequences first and foremost with the situation in afghanistan which is going to be extremely complicated and tragic in a number of different ways. We alSo have to deal with the consequences with the pandemic, refugees, and then we deal with the consequences that are unavoidable, for iran and pakistan. And then we have the entire credibility of international efforts and credibility of the west, So consequences will be played out in multiple dimensions over a period of time. ,. , ~. , ~ i. , multiple dimensions over a period of time. ,. , ~. , ~ i. , time. Huge at stake. Thank you for talkin to time. Huge at stake. Thank you for talking to us time. Huge at stake. Thank you for talking to us live time. Huge at stake. Thank you for talking to us live from time. Huge at stake. Thank you for talking to us live from stockholm. | talking to us live from stockholm. You are watching bbc news. Let me Brina Ou you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right up you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right up to you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right up to date you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right up to date in you are watching bbc news. Let me bring you right up to date in terms i bring you right up to date in terms of what has been happening right back at coble Kabul Airport, crowds outside its perimeter where crowds outside its perimeter where crowds were gathering to escape taliban rule. Two bombings, after warnings from Intelligence Agencies that an attack could be imminent. The spokesperSon for the us secretary of defence has called it a complex attack that resulted in a number of american and afghan casualties. The taliban have said at least 13 people were killed. Kabul� s Emergency Hospital has said six injured people were taken there So far 60 injured people. The pentagon has alSo confirmed at least two exposures that havent close to one another outside the perimeter of the airport and one of those blasts happened close to the airports Abbey Gate the other close to the nearby Baron Hotel, which had been used by Some western nations as a Staging Point for the evacuation since the airlifts began. Just a number of the latest lines coming in from the uk because we have been hearing about the americans, germans, the french, the uk saying it has issued a notice to airlines to avoid afghan airspace under 25,000 feet after Todays Attack. Earlier, of course, the Uk Defence department saying there had been no Sonnel'>Uk PerSonnel involved in terms of the casualties after Todays Attack, but the uk by issuing a notice to airlines to avoid afghan airspace after Todays Attack at the airport. Just a little early on the programme, ispoke just a little early on the programme, i spoke to the retired army general mr mcmaster, who served from 27, to 2018. Under president trump. He gave me his reaction. I am of course, like everyone else, upset and angered by this. I think we have to recognise this is only the beginning. This is what happens when you surrender to a terrorist organisation. It is worth pointing out that this So called Isis K attack has all the hallmarks of a Haqqani Network Attack and guess whos in charge of security in kabul now . Siraj haqqani, who is a prominent Alqaeda Member and alSo the Military Commander of the taliban. Maybe now is the moment we can stop our Self Delusion and stop believing that these groups are separate from one another and recognise that they are utterly intertwined and connected and what we are seeing is the establishment of a jihadist Terrorist State in afghanistan and All Of Us will be at much higher risk as a result of this. YOu Said in the middle of that answer, it is time to think again. You are not seriously suggesting that the White House presses the Pause Button this close to the deadline . Heck yes, i am. I guess the question is for all of our political leaders, what is the mission . Is the mission just to complete our Surrender And Withdrawal . Or is it to get our citizens out and the afghans who are at the highest and most grave risk because they assisted us and were engaged in trying to build a better future for their country . If it is the latter, we better do a hell of a lot more than trying to hold on to a perimeter in a very small airport on the edge of a dense urban area. Right . So if the mission is to get people out, our military can do that. We have the capability to do it. I think the question youre alluding to and it is the right one, do we have the will to do it . I know you have written a really brutal assessment of the political dynamic. The decision that had been Made. I will come back to that in a moment or two but in terms of what is happening at the airport currently in these Hours after the attack, let me just ask if you have questions on that because, in your view as an army man, a military man, how do you secure that area . What will be going on in these moments on the ground . The only way to really do it is to push the parameter out. The problem is you have the masses of People Batting on this perimeter and if you secure the perimeter you have no depth masses of people pushing. We had an early warning from an intelligence perspective, but that does not do a lot of good if you do not control your perimeter out to a sufficient range where you can screen people at a checkpoint, layered checkpoints that would identify a threat. Force a terrorist to reveal hostile Intent And Capability before they get intermingled with the crowd like this or that close to the perimeter. It would require additional forces, No Doubt about it and greater risk as well. But i want to say, as a Soldier, a lot of this talk about no casualties as an end in of itself, i think what Soldiers want more than anything is to not be pitied, but instead to have a political leadership that will give them the reSources and authority necessary to accomplish a worthy mission, emerge mission necessary to accomplish a worthy mission, a mission that is worthy of the sacrifices they make. I will return to that point in a moment, but in practical terms, do you think it is still possible to get all of the remaining americans, let alone all of the foreigners, but the americans out of afghanistan before the 31st . No way. No. And of course there is the question about how many americans a are there we do not know about, where are they in the country . What if they are in jalalabad or other areas . 0r still in the far South . It is impossible to know. Does that alarm you . It should because everyone is talking about the Humility And Withdrawal of american forces from vietnam in 1975. I think we are going to fast forward from that disturbing image to the Hostage Crisis in tehran in 1979. That is what i fear. And what we should recognise is siraj haqqani, the Security Chief now for the taliban is the greatest kidnapper of american and other foreigners in the Afghanistan Pakistan region. So Someone who has been kidnapping our citizens, killing many of them in captivity, is now in charge of security. What did we expect when we signed the Surrender Agreement with the taliban . That was Hr Mcmaster speaking to me a short while ago. Lets bring in profesSor anthony, what is your assessment of this . ProfesSor anthony, what is your assessment of this . ~. , ~. A, assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster has Ust Assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster hasjust said. Assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster has just said, this assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster has just said, this is assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster hasjust said, this is an assessment of this . What Hr Mcmaster hasjust said, this is an extremely has just said, this is an extremely grey situation. I am an armchair strategist, not in our Armed Forces, but to me it seems as if the only way of rescuing this situation. The very least we can do is to send troops back into Kabul Airport, to secure the airport and to secure whatever we needed there because if we dont do that, the people queueing outside the airport. We have all seen the pictures, and they will continue to be sitting ducks for terrorists and we are putting those people who are still there at great risk of being taken hostage by whoever it is carrying out these terror attacks. We think it is the So called Isis K group, the islamic state of khorosan province group, a Splinter Group who exist in The Shadow of the taliban, but who are said to be hostile in Some way to the taliban because they are not sufficiently extreme. We think they include former alqaeda fighters. The fact that they were two explosions almost at the same time, thatis explosions almost at the same time, that is very characteristic of alqaedas aim to sew, notjust terror, but alSo confusion and chaos. And we have alSo had reports from the United Nations that a very large number. I mean, thousands of foreign fighters, that is fighters foreign fighters, that is fighters foreign to afghanistan, from neighbouring regions, have gone into afghanistan to support the taliban in its fight against the afghan security forces, but are now pushing the taliban towards greater extremism. So. Let the taliban towards greater extremism. So. The taliban towards greater extremism. So. Extremism. 50. Let me get in because you extremism. 50. Let me get in because you make extremism. 50. Let me get in because you make a extremism. 50. Let me get in because you make a number. Extremism. 50. Let me get in because you make a number of| extremism. So. Let me get in because you make a number of points, but the early point that you Made was you thought that more troops should be sent in. The obvious problem with that is you would need the taliban to agree to that, wouldnt you . The taliban to agree to that, Wouldnt Ou . ~. , � ~ wouldnt you . Well, i dont think ou wouldnt you . Well, i dont think you would wouldnt you . Well, i dont think you would i wouldnt you . Well, i dont think you would. I think wouldnt you . Well, i dont think you would. I think president wouldnt you . Well, i dont think i you would. I think President Biden, i mean, we know hisjudgment is faulty, self evidently So. But i think he can say to the taliban, look, we had this deal with you, a deal that Donald Trump forged, let it be said. We had these deal with you, but you clearly cannot deliver on this deal because yOu Said, we would be able to lead in an orderly way. Since you cannot enforce your side of the bargain, we are going to tear it up and we are going to leave in ourown time tear it up and we are going to leave in our own time and in our own way. And that is going to be. That decision would be sustained by the power that we have. I mean, you know. R power that we have. I mean, you know. ,. , M Power that we have. I mean, you know. ,. , a. , know. Let me ask a quick final ruestion know. Let me ask a quick Final Question if know. Let me ask a quick Final Question if i know. Let me ask a quick Final Question if i could know. Let me ask a quick Final Question ifi could because know. Let me ask a quick Final Question if i could because you | know. Let me ask a quick Final Question if i could because you were talking about this offshoot of isis and there have been reports in the last few days that as kabul else where got overrun and there were a number of people released from priSon and perhaps members of this group as well, tell me more about this group, what they believe in, how much of a threat they actually are. ~. , ,. , how much of a threat they actually are. ~ ,. , how much of a threat they actually are. , are. Well, those people who study these groups are. Well, those people who study these groups very are. Well, those people who study these groups very carefully are. Well, those people who study these groups very carefully So are. Well, those people who study these groups very carefully So that isk, the khorasan group, we have known about them since 2017. The Word Khorasan means apparently they come from the east. It is a term that western intelligence like using. It is less clear that they use this term themselves. Basically they want the same that the taliban once. They want an Extremist Islamist Caliphate in afghanistan, an entity, an islamic State Mark to, and we have seen what the islamic State Mark one did for our security here in the west and it seems to me we cannot possibly allow afghanistan to become an islamic State Mark 2, and if it is the case that these people are fighting the taliban it means that a civil war in afghanistan, once everybody has left, is alSo on the cards. Again, none of us can have any interest in that, So send the troops back. If we dont send the troops back i think many people will say, what is actually the point of us having Armed Forces and a spanking new Aircraft Carrier pivoting Somewhere towards the Asia Pacific when this is breaking out . We may as well pack up is breaking out . We may as well pack up and go home, that is not what we should be doing, we should be asserting our right to get the taliban to sit by its Agreement And Use force if necessary, definitely. Thanks very much for your time. I am rushing you at The End because i can see at the Corner Of My Eye Angela Merkel is just talking and she has been saying for the last while that we assume the attacks in kabul were carried out by Suicide Bombers, attacking and targeting people to leave Kabul Airport. And targeting people to leave kabul airort. ,. ,. , and targeting people to leave kabul airort. ,. , , airport. Is another possibility and we now airport. Is another possibility and we now have airport. Is another possibility and we now have to airport. Is another possibility and we now have to channel airport. Is another possibility i and we now have to channel them airport. Is another possibility and we now have to channel them in a way that the poorest countries in the world will benefit and will be assisted in overcoming their economic difficulties. We have had a very intensive exchange of views regarding vaccination and where We Stand in that regard and we will continue the discussion over dinner. Because one important fact that speeds economic recovery is that people are protected. In germany, we are talking already about the possibility of a third booster, whereas in other countries of the world people dont have any vaccines at all. ~. , world people dont have any vaccines atall. ~ ,, world people dont have any vaccines atall. ~ ,. ,. ,. , at all. Well, as she moves on to other issues. At all. Well, as she moves on to other issues, lets at all. Well, as she moves on to other issues, lets come at all. Well, as she moves on to other issues, lets come away at all. Well, as she moves on to | other issues, lets come away from that in berlin, but we have had comments from a number of people and are still waiting to hear more from washington, that Pentagon Briefing normally happens around 3 30pm or for pm and that has been pushed back as they continue to try to make an assessment of what is happening on the ground. We heard earlierfrom us officials worried about the potential for more attacks, So the situation is still very fluid and of course they have to make an assessment of what they are doing with the evacuation programme, which still has a number of days to run, but the next 36 Hours will be considered abSolutely vital in getting the last of the civilians out. Lets speak to our defence correspondent, jonathan beale, who has joined correspondent, jonathan beale, who hasjoined me here in the studio. Jonathan, we heard from the last last guest an assessment that perhaps one of the tactics going forward is to put more troops in to that airport to secure it better. What is the prospect of that . Any prospect of that . I what is the prospect of that . Any prospect of that . Prospect of that . I think that is hi. Hl prospect of that . I think that is highly unlikely. Prospect of that . I think that is highly unlikely, i prospect of that . I think that is highly unlikely, Ithink Prospect of that . I think that is highly unlikely, i think the prospect of that . I think that is | highly unlikely, i think the focus will be getting those there at the moment out. You know, we know that if a dead in any way of the 31st of august. The question i think this Attack Prompts his will that be speeded up, that drawdown . I think the us president has lots of tools at his disposal. I think that a withdrawal brings greater risk, as you have fewer troops on the ground, the worries will be there of a again another attack like this and what the president has at his disposal is drones, jets, be 52 bombers we have seen over, just making sure they control the skies over the airport to allow those last troops to leave, but i think this does raise questions as to whether they will speed up this exit now. I mean, it was already on a Fast Track, it may now even be on a Fast Track because of what has happened. It now even be on a Fast Track because of what has happened. Of what has happened. It still remains at of what has happened. It still remains at the of what has happened. It still remains at the moment of what has happened. It still remains at the moment a of what has happened. It still remains at the moment a bit| of what has happened. It still i remains at the moment a bit of of what has happened. It still remains at the moment a bit of an unknown in terms of what is actually happening on the ground with flights, with that whole operation. We heard the Nato Chief saying it was the priority. Have you heard anything about currently what is going on . Is there a pause . Have they continued . 50 going on . Is there a pause . Have they continued . Going on . Is there a pause . Have they continued . 50 we havent had any details they continued . 50 we havent had any details. You they continued . 50 we havent had any details. You know, they continued . 50 we havent had any details. You know, the they continued . 50 we havent had any details. You know, the last i| any details. You know, the last i heard they were continuing those flights. I imagine as a result of this explosion they may have had an interruption in that, but remember they have got to get the troops out as well as those civilians who have managed to get through the airport, who has been processed and are able to fly, and they would have been a lots of people who had already gone through those gates to get in on two flights, So they will have to get those out. They will not be turfing those out. They will not be turfing those people out, back outside the Security Gate once they have been processed, So they will have to continue this flights. I think the Question Isjust how continue this flights. I think the question is just how much longer will they continue for these pictures of course from earlier in the immediate moments after the attack and Some of the casualties being taken away. fii Attack and Some of the casualties being taken away. Attack and Some of the casualties being taken away. Of course, those numbers have being taken away. Of course, those numbers have grown, being taken away. Of course, those numbers have grown, but being taken away. Of course, those numbers have grown, but i being taken away. Of course, those | numbers have grown, but i suppose being taken away. Of course, those I Numbers have grown, but i suppose it is important to underline when we talk about an attack on a talk about it at an airport, it was on the perimeter, on the outside, they didnt manage to breach or get to the inside of the airport proper, did they . The inside of the airport proper, did the . , � the inside of the airport proper, did the . Y �. , the inside of the airport proper, didthe . Y �. , did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the ltaron did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the Baron Hotel, did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the Baron Hotel, which did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the Baron Hotel, which is did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the Baron Hotel, which isjust did they . They didnt. I have stayed in the Baron Hotel, which isjust by| in the Baron Hotel, which isjust by Abbey Gate, which is where the british have been operating from. Obviously there were us marines there, we know, because several of them have been injured. No british troops, we understand, were injured in this explosion. But it is. You know, it used to be the Military Entrance into the airport that you would go through to get a Military Flight throughout the country. Now being used obviously to Process Afghans and alSo having a lot of afghans and alSo having a lot of afghans outside waiting to be processed. Who had been told, who had been warned that this could happen, yet still came in large numbers. And it is a tragedy, an abSolute tragedy, what has happened to them. But clearly, you know, at the moment they are trying to focus on whether there will be another attack. This was a complex attack. Look at what happened. It wasnt just one exposure, it was two explosions. One explosion first, we think probably a Suicide Bomber, followed by gunfire. We are not clear if that gunfire was from fighters and nearby all the people, the troops defending their position, and then a second explosion, which Some people believe was a vehicle borne, a car bomb, essentially. So it was So it was a complex attack on the other thing you have to ask is the taliban had their crack troops, their Special Forces trying to secure the airport and clearly they couldnt stop it. It is to secure the airport and clearly they couldnt stop it. They couldnt stop it. It is very interesting they couldnt stop it. It is very interesting that they couldnt stop it. It is very interesting that you they couldnt stop it. It is very interesting that you finish they couldnt stop it. It is very j interesting that you finish that answer on that fort because the taliban have just been reported as saying by the afp News Agency that the taliban condemned the blast an area where us forces are responsible. That is the quote, the latest quote from taliban Sources, So condemning the blast, but trying to make the point that this was an area that us forces were responsible for, So exactly counterpoint, as you would expect in a situation like this, being Made. Would expect in a situation like this, being Made. Yes, but i think, ou this, being Made. Yes, but i think, you know. This, being Made. Yes, but i think, you know, those this, being Made. Yes, but i think, you know, those coalition this, being Made. Yes, but i think, you know, those coalition forces, i you know, those coalition forces, the us, the uk, would argue that the taliban were controlling access to the Airport Gate and questions of why werent these bombers stopped . That said, lets be honest, when the afghan security forces, when the afghans had a lower Case Government and a security force, these kinds of attacks were still happening, So i think what makes this extraordinary is the moment that this happens. Unfortunately, these kind of attacks happen in afghanistan, have been happening in kabul, but we are all focusing it at the moment because they are trying to pull out those last troops and the last civilians. A final quick vote for now, which is you have been So many times over the last years to afghanistan, reporting on the situation there. We now have a situation where we are on the brink of international forces leaving and yet you have the potential for a leaving and yet you have the potentialfor a new leaving and yet you have the potential for a new chapter of conflict to open up . You potential for a new chapter of conflict to open up . Potential for a new chapter of conflict to open up . You do, but you aet conflict to open up . You do, but you net the conflict to open up . You do, but you get the Sense Conflict to open up . You do, but you get the sense that conflict to open up . You do, but you get the sense that once conflict to open up . You do, but you get the sense that once Joe Conflict to open up . You do, but you get the sense that once Joe Bidensl get the sense that oncejoe bidens Made that decision to pull out troops on the ground that it is going to be very difficult to reverse that decision and what you are then into is what we essentially saw in the 1990s, which was over the horizon attacks. Tomahawk cruise missiles being fired at Alqaeda Training camps and the like, which ultimately were not effective, So, you know, ithink ultimately were not effective, So, you know, i think the strategy. For the afghans as well, to live through another conflict. filth. For the afghans as well, to live through another conflict. Oh, for then it is through another conflict. Oh, for then it is. You through another conflict. Oh, for then it is. You know, through another conflict. Oh, for then it is. You know, it through another conflict. Oh, for then it is. You know, it is through another conflict. Oh, for then it is. You know, it is not. Then it is. You know, it is not just. The last 20 years they have had the russians, they have had a civil war, you know, it is going to be an utter tragedy for this country. Be an utter tragedy for this count. ,. ,. Be an utter tragedy for this count. ,. ,. ,. ,. , be an utter tragedy for this count. ,. ,. ,. Country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now. Country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now again. Country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now. Again, i country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now. Again, i know country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now. Again, i know you country. Jonathan, thanks very much for now. Again, i know you are country. Jonathan, thanks very muchj for now. Again, i know you are going to stay with me, but lets speak to mr chowdhury, who is a british journalist who was making a documentary there before the taliban took the country. She has been at the airport over the last few days, she is not there at the moment, but ready to talk to me now. Thank you So much and give me an idea of what it is like to be there in kabul after everything we have seen over the last few Hours. The last few Hours. Being in kabul now leaves the last few Hours. Being in kabul now leaves you the last few Hours. Being in kabul now leaves you very the last few Hours. Being in kabul now leaves you very uncertain. I the last few Hours. Being in kabull now leaves you very uncertain. The desperation people are feeling inside the airport and we are all feeling very scared for them now, So i think there is a climate of fear very much in the city. It is interesting very much in the city. It is interesting because i very much in the city. It is interesting because they i very much in the city. It is interesting because they have been warnings right from Last Night about an imminent attack, and yet people still are there at the airport, which gives you, i suppose, a snapshot, a sense of the desperation to get out to still be there despite all of the potential, the worries of what could happen and then did happen. What could happen and then did ha en. ,. , what could happen and then did hauen. ,. ,. ,. ,. , what could happen and then did ha en. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , happen. You have to be aware that we know there was happen. You have to be aware that we know there was an happen. You have to be aware that we know there was an imminent happen. You have to be aware that we know there was an imminent threat i happen. You have to be aware that we know there was an imminent Threat Ofj know there was an imminent threat of the airport, but people inside the airport actually had no information. They were not aware what was taking place outside. The foreign Press Contingent here was in force Last Night and this morning, So we were all very much aware. I was telling my crew but i was working with, please dont go near the airport, and they were totally unaware. I told them to phone as many people that they knew to Somehow reach safety, if at all possible. So you really have to understand. We were informed, but most people. I think it is over 9000 people that are stranded inside that airport and mostly you were unaware. That is interesting mostly you were unaware. That is interesting. And mostly you were unaware. That is interesting. And just mostly you were unaware. That is interesting. And just tell mostly you were unaware. That is interesting. And just tell me i interesting. And just tell me because you have been there, filming, doing work on this documentary. Give me a sense of how much has changed in such quick time of a fortnight, with the taliban taking Control And Everything suddenly turned on its head. I everything suddenly turned on its head. , ,. ,. , head. I mean, the speed of changes that take place head. I mean, the speed of changes that take place is head. I mean, the speed of changes that take place is just head. I mean, the speed of changes that take place isjust colossal. I i that take place is just colossal. I mean, you simply cant keep up with the change of events on a daily basis. But this attack i think is very detrimental. For the taliban especially because they still have not established a centralised government and now they have to deal with their first crisis point, which they are unprepared for because they dont have a ministry in place to deal with this and as the attack took place in the american part of the airport as well, the. They are alSo in terms of Dialogue And Conversation they are alSo quieter on that front on that remark as well, So for the taliban, this is going to be a significant challenge, but the biggest concern i have to say, to afghans now, they will want to leave now more than ever because they have been really shown that safety is not top of the agenda here. In safety is not top of the agenda here. ,. ,. , safety is not top of the agenda here. ,. , i. , i. Here. In terms of you and your crew, Have Ou here. In terms of you and your crew, have you been here. In terms of you and your crew, have you been trying here. In terms of you and your crew, have you been trying to here. In terms of you and your crew, have you been trying to get here. In terms of you and your crew, have you been trying to get out i have you been trying to get out yourselves . Give me an idea of what it has been like at the airport, what you have witnessed, or are you staying and documenting it all . Well, we are staying and documenting it all because we believe the story is here and. Which, if we dont document it, will not really be heard. And we alSo believe it is important to let people know that we are with them on this. You know, many foreign Press Contingent have left, obviously because we were very uncertain of what it would be like, but the taliban actually had a meeting the other day with the press here and asking us how we can assure safety, how we can work together, what is it that is required for us to move freely and report the actuality on the ground. But their biggest concern is the Afghan Taliban here is not reassuring afghans. Taliban here is not reassuring afr hans. ,. , taliban here is not reassuring afrhans. ,. , afghans. Yes, that is exactly the oint, afghans. Yes, that is exactly the point. Isnt afghans. Yes, that is exactly the point, isnt it . Afghans. Yes, that is exactly the point, isnt it . Because afghans. Yes, that is exactly the point, isnt it . Because over afghans. Yes, that is exactly the point, isnt it . Because over the| point, isnt it . Because over the last few days we have had a number of taliban News Conferences where they have spoken about. It doesnt need to be fair, people dont need to leave the country, there will be an amnesty, but there are clearly a lot of people simply do not believe that and are scrabbling to get out. Yes. And now the airport was the route out and now itjust seems impossible. 50 route out and now it ust seems impossiblefi route out and now it ust seems impossible. So what do you think eole impossible. So what do you think people will impossible. So what do you think people will do impossible. So what do you think people will do now . Impossible. So what do you think people will do now . I impossible. So what do you think people will do now . I think impossible. So what do you think people will do now . I think right| people will do now . I think right now they are people will do now . I think right now they are just people will do now . I think right now they are just unable people will do now . I think right now they are just unable to i people will do now . I think right| now they are just unable to make people will do now . I think right i now they are just unable to make a decision. They have to wait, see what takes hold over the next few days. I will the taliban respond to this atrocity . How will the americans deal with matters . Will there be an extension for the americans or will they get Some reassurance that they can stay and prove they can facilitate an orderly exit for the people who are actually still stranded at the airport . And yet we do not know because the taliban have released a statement indicating how many people have died and are injured, but there has been no response to this situation. Obviously things are unfolding at rapid speed, So that could come in days, but obviously. They need more support on the ground. Haee days, but obviously. They need more support on the ground. Have to leave it there more support on the ground. Have to leave it there because more support on the ground. Have to leave it there because we more support on the ground. Have to leave it there because we are more support on the ground. Have to leave it there because we are comingj leave it there because we are coming to The End of this particular broadcast on this programme. Let us just conclude because we had in watching events on the ground, getting reaction over the last couple of Hours. If you have been joining us in the last little while, we have been concentrating on this story, the attack at Kabul Airport, two explosions, the first a very large explosion with the taliban are reporting that at least 13 people, including children, have been killed. We know from the americans there have been a number of american casualties, wounded, and the numbers are expected to go up. Do stay with us on bbc news, we will have plenty more on this full stop very much our main story. Thanks for watching So far. It felt Cooler Today right across the board, that is because we have had a weak cold front Southwards right across the uk, that introduced more fresh air. Quite a lot of cloud as well in the east, the best of the sunshine at rest. Friday a similar story, a lot of dry weather around and Pester Dissension in the west, more because affecting Central And Eastern Areas. This is a weak cold front spreading Southwards right across the uk as we head into this evening and overnight we will all be in that cooler air mass. Central and eastern areas will hold onto the cloud and it will tend to edge further westwards, to the extremities of western scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and wales seeing clear skies here. Quite cool and temperatures in single figures overnight, warmer where we have the cloud, tend to 13 celsius there. Cloud in Central And Eastern Areas in the day, perhaps a bit more Sunshine East and South-east'>South East in the afternoon, that Cloud Fragmenting in places. The best of the Sunshine Northern and western areas, the lightest of the wind here, quite a breezy day in the eastern side of the country, So that will take the edge of the temperatures here, particularly in the coasts, mid to high teens, in the warmer spots 2022 c. For high teens, in the warmer spots 20 22 c. For the weekend, most of us a bank holiday weekend, High Pressure will dominate, mostly dry, variable amounts of cloud and good spells of sunshine as well. For the weekend it looks like our area of High Pressure will park itself to the North West of the uk, So more of the North West of the uk, So more of the breeze in the South-east'>South East. Clusters of showers in the near continent and a few of these could encroach into the far South-east'>South East of england in the afternoon. Here it will be breezy, variable amounts of cloud and the best of the Sunshine Northern and western areas with the lightest winds here, and this is where we will see the best temperatures, 22 degrees or So, again the high teens further east. A similar story on sunday, cloudy in the eastern areas and again quite a breeze blowing down the North Sea Coast there. Some shelter for the best of the sunshine in the west, over here up to 23 degrees, otherwise the high teens again. The cloud in the breeze. Otherwise a cloudy day generally, the best of the sunshine across northern and western areas, temperatures a bit lower, high teens for many, top temperatures 22 degrees. This is bbc news. Twin Bomb Attacks at Kabul Airport with unconfirmed reports of at least 10 deaths the explosions took place where us have been stationed and at a nearby hotel. Initial reports point to a Suicide Bombing its thought the dead includes children. The us government says there have been american casualties eyewitnesses describe a chaotic scene. People started running away and we got out. I saw at least four or 500 people there. The explosions were really powerful. Others were on the ground outside. We carried the wounded hero on stretchers and my clothes are completely bloodied. It comes as thousands had still been gathering outside the airport despite clear warnings