The two explosions that targeted the Afghan capital Kabul airport today, Thursday, were widely condemned locally and internationally, while their echo reached Washington, where US President Joe Biden postponed his scheduled meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Beibant.

Al-Jazeera correspondent pointed out that the two explosions killed 25 people, in addition to 90 wounded, according to an incomplete toll, while a number of countries rushed to issue statements of reassurance that there were no casualties among their nationals or forces that are still present in Afghanistan.

The White House and an Israeli official said the meeting between Bennett and Biden had been postponed while Biden held consultations with his national security team about the bombings in Afghanistan.

Biden (right) postponed his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Washington against the backdrop of the Kabul Airport bombings (Agencies)

Bennett was scheduled to meet with Biden in the Oval Office at 11:30 a.m. EST to discuss issues, foremost of which is Iran's nuclear program.

The Israeli official, who asked not to be named, said the talks were expected to take place later on Friday, but there was no specific timing yet.

broad denunciation

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, condemned the "terrorist attack" that occurred Thursday, which resulted in deaths and injuries in Afghanistan, according to his spokesman.

For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned the "horrific terrorist attack" in the vicinity of Kabul Airport, and expressed his sympathy to all those harmed, and their loved ones, as a result of the attack.

"Our priority remains to get as many people as possible to a safe place as soon as possible," Stoltenberg tweeted.

Smoke rises from the vicinity of Kabul Airport after the two explosions (Associated Press)

Charles Michel, President of the European Council, expressed his "grave concern" after an explosion occurred outside Kabul airport.

"I express my sadness and solidarity with the victims and their families... Securing safe passage to the airport remains vital," he said in a tweet on Twitter.

"We must ensure that the current instability in Afghanistan does not lead to the re-emergence of terrorism," he added.

For her part, German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the Kabul attack, describing it as appalling and saying that it took place in a very tense situation.

Merkel had postponed her scheduled visit to Israel at the end of the week in light of the rapid developments in Afghanistan.

Taliban condemns

Locally, the Taliban condemned the two bombings in a tweet by its official spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid.

The Associated Press quoted the spokesman as saying the movement condemned the two bombings, noting that they took place in an area under the control of US forces.

The spokesman added that the Taliban "attaches the utmost importance to the security of Afghanistan and its people, and the evil circles will be held accountable decisively."

#Gaburgun:


Islam, Emirate D, Kabul, پای پی هیهی گه peer Kې پ پلکی کے کے کے کے پیکا په پیکا Kalka Ghandi, Yāda Çağudna په Şiê Sima کې Tarsera Choch Çې d I wish I was responsible for the responsibility of ې D Americans ځ پ


Islamic Emirates, d Khaplu khalku amenet or satin te khalk kulk heading this, d. d. d.

— Zabihullah (.. Zabihullah m) (@Zabehulah_M33) August 26, 2021

For his part, the head of the Afghan Reconciliation Committee, Abdullah Abdullah, strongly condemned the "terrorist attack" on Kabul airport, which resulted in a large number of dead and wounded.

The bombings came as the United States and its allies raced to complete the aerial evacuation of Americans, Western nationals and some Afghan collaborators from Kabul before a deadline for its full military withdrawal by August 31.

These two explosions came after Western and Afghan warnings of "terror threats" at Kabul airport.