The latest blasts that could be heard in Kabul were carried out by US forces to destroy their own equipment, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on Thursday, adding that citizens are not in danger in this light. "Today, explosions could be heard in the evening near the Kabul airport. They were conducted by US military personnel to destroy their equipment. Kabul residents should not be worried," he tweeted. CNN later confirmed this report, citing Central Command Spokesman, US Army Major John Rigsby. According to him, the explosions were planned in advance. On Thursday, two suicide bombers attacked crowds of people gathered near the Kabul airport. Earlier, reports emerged about over 100 deaths, including 13 US military personnel. The Taliban has resolutely condemned the tragedy and vowed to hold those behind it responsible. Meanwhile, Moscow has strongly condemned the bombings in Kabul and remains seriously concerned about the situation in Afghanistan, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday. "Unfortunately, pessimistic forecasts are being confirmed that terrorist groups and organizations that have settled there, the Daesh (so-called IS) group first and foremost, and its derivatives, would take advantage of the chaos that has arisen in Afghanistan," Peskov told a conference call with reporters Friday. It "adds to the tensions in Afghanistan" and remains the cause of the Kremlin's "serious concern," Peskov said. In Beijing, China said it condemns the attacks on Kabul airport and is "ready to work with the international community to address the threat of terrorism and prevent Afghanistan from becoming a source of terrorism again." The comments from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Friday afternoon were Beijing's first comments on the suicide bombings. Zhao said no Chinese were killed or injured in the Thursday attacks and that China had advised its citizens in the country to "strengthen security precautions." "Meanwhile, we have requested the relevant parties to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel," Zhao told reporters at the daily briefing. China has kept its embassy in Kabul open and recently hosted talks between the Taliban and its ambassador, while piling on criticism of the US over the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport. Zhao also reiterated China's concerns over what Beijing says is a threat to its security constituted by the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, whose ability to mount anti-China operations has long been questioned. "The head of the Afghan Taliban has made it clear to China that he will never allow any forces to use Afghan territory to do things detrimental to China," Zhao said. "We hope that the relevant parties will take effective measures to ensure a smooth transition of the situation in Afghanistan and the personal safety of the Afghan people and foreign citizens there," he said. — CNN with agencies
