British minister warns of ‘very serious’ terrorist threat at Kabul airport

A terrorist threat against Kabul airport is “very serious” and “imminent”, Britain’s armed forces minister James Heappey said on Thursday as the UK government warned its citizens to stay away from the area.

“Reporting over the week has become ever more credible. And it is of an imminent and severe threat to life,” Heappey told Times Radio.

“This is a very serious threat, very imminent,” he said.

Late Wednesday, Britain warned its citizens away from Kabul’s airport, where huge crowds have gathered hoping to board evacuation flights after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

“Do not travel to Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office wrote on its website. “There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attack.”