KABUL — 2021 · Major Tragedy

The 2021 Kabul Airport Attack

Under InvestigationSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 26 August 2021, after the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, a suicide attack struck Abbey Gate at Hamid Karzai International Airport, where thousands had gathered hoping to be evacuated. The attack killed 169 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members and wounded more than 150 people. The Islamic State's Khorasan branch (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility. The attack marked the final days of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the handling of the evacuation was debated for years. In March 2025 a man accused of helping plan the attack was captured in Pakistan and sent to the United States to face charges.

Date: 2021
Place: Hamid Karzai Airport, Afghanistan, Kabul, AF
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Under Investigation
Coordinates: 34.5610, 69.2130 ↗

Timeline of Events

15 August 2021The Taliban took Kabul; evacuations began at the airport.
26 August 2021A suicide attack struck Abbey Gate.
27 August 2021ISIS-K claimed responsibility.

30 August 2021The last US troops left Afghanistan.
March 2025A man accused of planning the attack was extradited to the US.

Sources

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