Kareem Nikoui was one of at least 13 U.S. soldiers killed Thursday in a suicide bombing outside Kabul's airport
For Steve Nikoui, a carpenter from California, Thursday was an “agonizing day.” He knew his son Kareem, a young U.S. Marine, was stationed at the Kabul airport. But when he heard there had been a bombing, he didn't know if Kareem was alive or dead.
Olivia Miller 
“I stayed home from work yesterday because there was this attack and I knew he was there,” Nikoui told The Daily Beast early Friday morning. “I sat in front of the TV all day.”
Just hours after the U.S. military warned of an imminent terror threat, a suicide bombing rocked Hamid Karzai International Airport and its surrounding area. At least 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and 18 others wounded. Numerous Afghans also died in the terrorist attack.
Military officials did not release the names of the soldiers killed, but said they were 10 Marines, two soldiers and a Navy medic.
Steve Nikoui said he knew the Marines contacted the families of all those killed “within eight hours.” Around 7:15 p.m. PT, “these young men came,” he said.
They first appeared on Nikoui's phone, which was connected to his doorbell camera, he explained. He was following the news to learn about his son or his comrades, and wanted to make sure he caught any bad news before his wife and other son came home and saw a group of Marines standing there.
For California carpenter Steve Nikoui, Thursday was an “agonizing day.” He knew his son Kareem, a young U.S. Marine, was stationed at the Kabul airport. But when he heard there had been a bombing, he didn't know if Kareem was alive or dead.
"I stayed home from work yesterday because there was this attack and I knew he was there,” Nikoui told The Daily Beast early Friday morning. “I sat in front of the TV all day.”
Just hours after the U.S. military warned of an imminent terror threat, a suicide bombing rocked Hamid Karzai International Airport and its surrounding area. At least 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and 18 others wounded. Numerous Afghans also died in the terrorist attack.
Military officials did not release the names of the soldiers killed, but said they were 10 Marines, two soldiers and a Navy medic.
Steve Nikoui said he knew the Marines contacted the families of all those killed “within eight hours.” Around 7:15 p.m. PT, “these young men came,” he said.
They first appeared on Nikoui's phone, which was connected to his doorbell camera, he explained. He followed the messages to learn about his son or his comrades, and wanted to make sure he intercepted any bad news before his wife and other son came home and saw a group of Marines standing there.
Identified soldiers from 13
- Max Soviak
- Rylee Mccollum
- David Lee Espinoza
- Kareem Nikoui
