It's like a flashback: the images of the carnage in Kabul, the flags at half mast in Washington, the briefing of the military and the appearance of the Commander-in-Chief in the White House.

Much is currently reminding Americans of the darkest days of the war on terrorism.

These are the first American soldiers in the presidency of Joe Biden to be killed in Afghanistan.

But he knew what to say.

At least that.

Majid Sattar

Political correspondent for North America based in Washington.

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“We are not forgiven.

We will not be forgotten.

We'll hunt you down and make you pay for it, ”Biden said late on Thursday afternoon, addressing the terrorists.

It had been a "difficult day" - with these words he had entered the East Room of the White House.

It was the blackest day of his term in office so far.

Biden himself recalled having warned and worried about the danger.

This is exactly his problem: There was specific evidence of an attack by the Afghan offshoot of the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (IS) on the airport in Kabul.

But there was nothing his soldiers could do.

Biden's withdrawal plan had created a situation in which they were, as it were, hostages of the Taliban, the new rulers in the Hindu Kush - and continue to do so.

"No evidence of secret agreements with IS"

The Taliban form the outer security ring around the airport. You decide at the checkpoint who comes in. Biden alluded to this when he said there was no evidence of collusion between the rival Islamists, the Taliban and ISIS. Does it do any better? Then 13 American soldiers and dozens of Afghans were killed for putting themselves into the hands of people who are not known for implementing Western security protocols. The president called the killed soldiers "heroes" who had found themselves on a dangerous and selfless mission in which they had saved the lives of others. They are the "backbone of America".

Then Biden said he had asked the Ministry of Defense to draw up operational plans for a counter-attack to attack positions of the Afghan IS and its leadership. The masterminds will be found. There are clues about their whereabouts. One will find ways and means to hold them accountable even without major military operations. America will not be intimidated. IS will not win. Then: The evacuation mission will be continued - and, even after the American troops have withdrawn, ways will be found to get Americans and Afghan allies out of the country.

In fact, the evacuation continued on Thursday: 12,500 people seeking protection had been flown out by the Americans and their allies in the past 24 hours, the White House announced on Friday morning. 1,000 Americans, or people with both American and Afghan citizenship, are still in the country. The situation in front of the airport on Friday was the same as the day before, shortly before the attacks took place. With small exceptions: The Taliban have enlarged the outer ring, pushed back those seeking protection from the airport and blocked access roads. This only brings more security to a limited extent.