Heinous attack. President bidens first comments this evening. The lives we lost today were lives given in the service of liberty, the service of security, the service of others. Reporter u. S. Service members were killed and more wounded along with afghan civilians in an explosion at the abbey gate, south of kabuls international airport. Another blast erupted at a nearby hotel frequented by westerners. At this time, we know that 12 u. S. Service members have been killed in the attack and 15 more Service Members have been injured. Reporter the effort to get americans and afghan allies out in the next five days now even more dangerous. Let me be clear. While we are saddened by the loss of life, u. S. And afghan, we are continuing to execute the mission. Reporter president biden briefed as the attack unfolded during his national security meeting. His biggest crisis yet. Isisk terrorists, rivals to the taliban, claimed responsibility. We believe it is their desire to continue the attacks.
Live, from cnn center, this is Cnn Newsroom with Robyn Curnow. We are tracking this Breaking News out of afghanistan where the taliban have seized jalalabad. Thats according to an afghan official. The last of the capital kabul, the only major city still controlled by the central government. We are, also, learning that the city has fallen. That means at least 24 of afghanistans 34 provincial capitals are now in taliban hands. The news comes, as u. S. President Joe Biden has authorized sending A Thousand more troops to afghanistan. Thats on top of 4,000, already, cleared for deployment. Theyre meant to help get u. S. Personnel and their allies out of the country, as the taliban offensive rolls on. Now, that swift advance has triggered an exodus. Thousands of people, trying to escape the taliban have fled To Kabul and thats putting even more pressure on a weakened government, surrounded by enemies. Cyril vanier has reported from Inside Afghanistan and for the latest, he is Tracking Events
Im Robyn Curnow live in atlanta. Ahead, another major afghan city is now under taliban control. As u. S. President Joe Biden decides to send more troops in to aid americas withdrawal. Also, a huge earthquake in haiti leveling homes, buildings, and leaving hundreds dead. This as a tropical storm bears down on the country. One u. S. Hospital forced to take extreme measures as it struggles with a surge In Covid cases. Thanks for joining me. Afghanistans capital, kabul, is the only major afghan city still under government control. This after a local official says the city of jalalabad has fallen to the taliban. Video from the taliban shows them being cheered on in what is said to be jalalabad. It is another crushing blow to the afghan government and their soldiers trying to fight back the militants. In recent days theyve also lost mazaresharif in the north. At least 24 of afghanistans 34 provincial capitals are now in taliban hands. That swift advance has triggered an exodus. Thousands of
Why experts say that new threats are very similar to what they saw on the capitol. Do you believe trouble. States of Emergency Up in two dozen counties and were tracking another system right behind it. Welcome to your saturday, august 14th. Were so grateful to have you waking up with us. Good morning. Good morning. Christi, always great to see you. We have plenty of news to get to this morning. The biden White House facing two crises as the nation battles a fourth surge of covid19 and afghan anything stand now on the brink of collapse as more cities fall to the taliban leaving americans there in harms way. The pentagons deploying more than 3,000 troops into that country after the u. S. Issued a major warning to american citizens to get out. Officials say theres no imminent tret of them seizing kabul. The pentagon is pushing back on criticism that the u. S. Was caught off guard by the talibans rapid gains. What we couldnt predict was the lack of resistance they were going to get from Af
Indicates how quickly the story keeps changing. For example, when i was first looking at this just a few hours ago, there were some estimates here that as soon as wed see the taliban being able to take control of things, if they even got to that point it would be early next week. Some today talking in terms of hours. And at thiS Point, theres a great deal of confusion as to what our response is. The 3,000 additional troops, many more to come to back them up and still no word yet about a strategy that will still maintain all u. S. Personnel being out of afghanistan in less than 2 weeks. Lets get the read right now from Lucas Tomlinson who has been following this closely from the start. He joins us out of washington. Lucas. Lucas the reports u. S. Jets are hitting the taliban outside of kabul over fear it is capital with fall anyday. The first u. S. Marines arrived to start evacuating americans. Marine corps chc helicopter, preparing for full Evacuation And Closure of embassy In Kabul, a