U.S. President Joe Biden says the attack in Kabul will not stop evacuation efforts.
He said the service members who gave their lives were heroes engaged in a dangerous, selfless mission to save others.
Thirteen U.S. soldiers were killed when ISIS-k suicide bombers detonated near the Kabul airport. Fifteen others were injured.
Afghan civilians died in the blast and when gunmen opened fire.
There are reports more than 100 people were killed.
The American president says the country has a continuing and sacred obligation to the families of the heroes who were lost.
“The lives we lost today were lives given in the service of liberty, in the service of security, in the service of America,” says Biden.
Biden adds they will not be deterred by terrorists and issued a direct warning to those responsible.
“For those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm know this: ‘We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
Biden has ordered U.S. military commanders to develop plans to strike ISIS-k assets, leadership and facilities.
He describes ISIS-k as an arch-enemy of the Taliban.
