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vowed to "hunt down terrorists wherever they may be" as he marked one yearÌýsince an explosion at killed 13 American troops and hundreds of Afghan civilians.Ìý

The 27 August explosion at the airport - where massive crowds of Afghans had gatheredÌýto flee the newly-returned authorities - was linked to IS-K, the Afghanistan branch of the ²µ°ù´Ç³Ü±è.Ìý

Biden condemned theÌý"heinous"Ìýattack in a statement published by the on Friday.Ìý

"Our nation will forever mourn their sacrifice and honor the memory of those 13 precious souls, stolen from their families, loved ones, brothers- and sisters-in-arms far too soon while performing a noble mission on behalf of our nation,"Ìýthe president remarked.Ìý

Just weeks after the US shot downon Afghan soil, the US Commander in Chief said his administration would continue to target terroristsÌý"who seek to harm the United States" wherever they are.

Biden's administration was severely criticised for its decision to withdraw soldiersÌýfrom Afghanistan. As US-led foreign troops ended their twenty-year missions in the central Asian country, the ,ÌýtakingÌýcontrol of the capital on 15 August.

The president defended the withdrawal in Friday's statement, saying:Ìý"We now maintain pressure against terrorist threats without keeping thousands of troops in harm’s way on the ground in Afghanistan."

The killing of Zawahiri in an upmarket district in Kabul has raised questions over whether the Taliban are Ìý- in whichÌýit committed to preventingÌýgroups andÌýindividualsÌýincluding Al-QaedaÌýfrom "using [Afghanistan’s] soil"Ìýfor "recruiting, training and fundraising" - signedÌýahead of the US withdrawal.Ìý

It remains unclearÌýwhether Zawahiri was conducting such activities during his time in Kabul or whether he was working directly with the Taliban.Ìý

However, Zawahiri was allegedlyÌýat a property owned by a senior aide to according to International Crisis Group.Ìý

On Thursday, the Taliban said they have not yet found Zawahiri's body and areÌýcontinuing investigations.