President Biden says another attack in Afghanistan is "highly likely" in next 24-36 hours
CBSN
Another attack is "highly likely" to take place in Afghanistan in the next 24-36 hours, President Biden said in a statement Saturday afternoon. His announcement came hours after the U.S. Embassy in Kabul sent out an alert telling people to avoid the Kabul airport due to "security threats."
"The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high," the president wrote. "Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours. I directed them to take every possible measure to prioritize force protection, and ensured that they have all the authorities, resources and plans to protect our men and women on the ground. They assured me that they did, and that they could take these measures while completing the mission and safely retrograding our personnel." It is not clear who is behind the possible attack or where it may take place.Ashley White received her earliest combat action badge from the United States Army soon after the first lieutenant arrived in Afghanistan. The silver military award, recognizing soldiers who've been personally engaged by an attacker during conflict, was considered an achievement in and of itself as well as an affirming rite of passage for the newly deployed. White had earned it for using her own body to shield a group of civilian women and children from gunfire that broke out in the midst of her third mission in Kandahar province. All of them survived. She never mentioned the badge to anyone in her battalion.