NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the deadly blasts outside Hamid Karzai International Airport as a "horrific terrorist attack" that targeted desperate people trying to leave the country and the alliance's efforts to evacuate them from Afghanistan. "I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack outside Kabul airport. My thoughts are with all those affected and their loved ones. Our priority remains to evacuate as many people to safety as quickly as possible," Stoltenberg tweeted. In other developments, Britain said none of its military or government personnel were affected by two blasts that hit Kabul airport and a nearby area, its Defense Ministry said on Thursday. The ministry reiterated that "UK forces are working closely with our partners to provide security and medical assistance." The official statement comes in spite of news reports suggesting and identified UK national is amongst the casualties, which include American soldiers and Afghan civilians. Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) confirmed that all Canadian Armed Forces members are safe and accounted for. "The situation on the ground remains dangerous, and CAF personnel are taking all appropriate personal security measures," said a DND media statement. It is not clear whether any other Canadian citizens or people with connections to Canada were affected. And the Bundeswher (German military) said that no German soldiers have been affected by the explosion that earlier rocked Kabul airport. Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had previously warned of the likelihood of an attack by terror groups such as Al-Qaida or Daesh (so-called IS), according to the military statement. — Agencies
