An investigation into the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members at Afghanistan’s Kabul International Airport during a failed 2021 U.S. troop withdrawal reveals that the sniper team guarding the monastery gate did not have the terrorists in their sights before the attack. I came to the conclusion that
Initial investigation by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) August 26, 2021 bombingThe attack, which also claimed the lives of 170 Afghan civilians, proved to be “unpreventable” at the tactical level.Latest supplement reportwhich included interviews with 50 additional witnesses, sought to uncover:
1) Whether an improvised explosive device (IED) was tested near the gates of the monastery on August 21, 2021;
2) whether military personnel identified the suicide bomber in the crowd before the attack occurred;and
3) Whether military personnel stationed at or around the monastery gate had an opportunity to engage the bombers before the attack.
“The investigation also focused on the excessive use of force by the Taliban and the decision to strengthen the defensive perimeter around the monastery gates before the attack,” Centcom noted.
Investigators also interviewed 12 service members who were previously unable to give statements due to medical evacuation or treatment.
After a “thorough review”, Bundeswehr Command confirmed that the Abbey Gate terrorist attack “could not be prevented at a tactical level without compromising the mission of maximizing the number of people evacuated.”
- Abbey Gate leaders were present, actively participated, and made sound tactical decisions.
- The suicide bomber had not previously been identified in the crowd, and there was no opportunity for military personnel to engage him before the August 26, 2021 attack.
- Although it cannot be completely ruled out, it is unlikely that an IED test took place outside the monastery gates on August 21, 2021.
- Taliban forces outside the monastery gates used excessive force, resulting in civilian deaths.
- The new information obtained during the review did not materially impact the results of the November 2021 Monastery Gate 15-6 investigation, and the Supplemental Review Team did not recommend any modifications to those results.
The supplementary review consisted of a team of 13 military personnel who visited 24 locations and conducted more than 50 interviews over five months, concluding on January 16th.
Senior department officials were informed of the findings in February. Centcom is in the process of briefing Gold Star families on the 13 U.S. military casualties.
“We remain focused on fulfilling our solemn obligations to the Abbey Gate Gold Star Family,” a CENTCOM spokesperson said.
During President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address in March, Gold Star father Steve Nikoi, the father of a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant, said:It was Kareem Nikoi arrested For interrupting a speech on behalf of his deceased son.
Nikoui, whose son was one of the soldiers killed at Kabul’s airport, shouted “US Marines!” and was chased out of the venue. and “Abby Gate!”
Attorney General Brian Schwalb’s office in Washington, D.C., later dropped the charges against him.
