“Just as the United States has stood with the people of Afghanistan through a difficult decade, we stand ready to help our Afghan partners as they respond to this disaster, for even as our war there comes to an end this year, our commitment to Afghanistan and its people will endure,” he said.
About 30,000 US soldiers are still stationed in Afghanistan, although that number is falling as Washington prepares to withdraw its troops by the end of this year after fighting the Taliban.
Afghan police said they had made a security ring around the area, which has been relatively free of insurgent attacks. In a statement, the Taliban said it was willing to provide security.