WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former President Donald Trump announced the capture of the primary suspect behind the 2021 Abbey Gate attack in Afghanistan, an assault that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members.
“Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity,” Trump declared during his address to a joint session of Congress. “He is now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.”
The suspect, identified as Muhammed Sharifullah, was taken into custody with the assistance of the Pakistani government, according to Fox News.
“I want to especially thank the government of Pakistan for their help in arresting this monster,” Trump stated. “This is a significant day for the families of those 13 brave service members, whom I have come to know well.”
The 2021 Abbey Gate bombing, which occurred during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, resulted in the deaths of 11 Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one sailor who were securing the Kabul airport. Additionally, at least 170 Afghan civilians were injured in the attack, according to a U.S. military investigation. The chaotic withdrawal left hundreds of American citizens and tens of thousands of Afghan allies stranded under Taliban rule.
The event fueled sharp criticism from conservative leaders, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who argued that the administration’s handling of the withdrawal emboldened adversaries such as Russia, potentially influencing its decision to invade Ukraine.
Following the U.S. withdrawal, the Taliban swiftly assumed control of Afghanistan.
During his speech, Trump recounted conversations with the families of the fallen service members.
“I spoke to many parents and loved ones, and they are in our hearts tonight,” he said. “We had a call where everyone was on the line, and there was nothing but tears—tears of relief, gratitude, and sorrow. Their children, their brothers and sisters, were taken from them unjustly.”
Many of these families have previously criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, holding President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris accountable for their losses. On the anniversary of the withdrawal in 2024, several family members expressed frustration, stating they felt abandoned by the administration and had received little to no support.
Reflecting on the broader consequences of the withdrawal, Trump also suggested that the perceived weakness displayed during the operation may have influenced geopolitical events.
“What a tragic day,” he remarked. “The incompetence shown was so profound that when Putin saw what happened, he may have thought, ‘This is my opportunity.’ It should have never happened.”
The capture of Sharifullah marks a significant step in delivering justice for the victims of the Abbey Gate attack and their families.
