During his congressional address Tuesday night, President Donald Trump revealed that U.S. forces had successfully apprehended the ISIS terrorist behind the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan. The attack, which occurred during the withdrawal of American troops, resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghan civilians. Trump declared that Mohammad Sharifullah, the mastermind behind the bombing, is now in custody and will face the “swift sword of American justice.”
“Three-and-a-half years ago, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members and countless others in the Abbey Gate bombing during the disastrous and incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan. Not that they were withdrawing, it was the way they withdrew,” Trump stated. “Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country. Tonight I’m pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity and he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.”
The capture of Sharifullah marks a major development in the fight against ISIS and the continued pursuit of those responsible for attacks on American forces. Trump thanked Pakistan for its cooperation in the successful operation to bring Sharifullah into U.S. custody. The announcement served as a powerful reminder of the deadly consequences of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, a move widely criticized for its execution and the loss of American lives.
Among the fallen service members were Marines Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak, and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss. These young men and women were stationed at the Kabul airport, working to evacuate civilians when the deadly blast occurred.
Trump also revealed that he had spoken with many of the families of the fallen service members before his address, acknowledging their continued grief and the need for justice. The news of the terrorist’s capture offers a measure of closure, though it does not undo the loss these families have endured.
The confirmation of Sharifullah’s capture came from FBI Director Kash Patel, who stated, “As President Trump just announced, I can report that tonight the FBI, DOJ, and CIA have extradited one of the terrorists responsible for the murder of the 13 American soldiers at Abbey Gate during the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. One step closer to justice for these American heroes and their families.”
