An Italian military transport plane came under fire as it flew out of Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL), a source at Italy’s Defense Ministry told Reuters. The plane was not damaged in the incident.
The C-130KJ of the Italian Air Force was transporting 100 Afghan civilians out of Kabul when it came under fire. Pilots proceeded to carry out evasive maneuvers.
However, according to sources cited by the Italian media Sky 24 TG, the shots were not directed at the aircraft. They were instead warning shots from Afghan soldiers to disperse the crowd at the airport.
For the past few days, western forces currently present in the airport have feared an attack of the Afghan-Pakistani branch of the Islamic State against the evacuating civilians and soldiers.
European countries are hurrying to conclude their evacuation operations before the departure of the United States military on August 31, 2021.
