WASHINGTON — In his address to the Congress, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces have captured the individual responsible for the deadly 2021 bombing at Kabul’s international airport, which killed 13 American service members and nearly 200 Afghans during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“Three and a half years ago, ISIS killed 13 American service members and hundreds of others at the Kabul airport. We have captured the person behind that attack,” Trump said.
Trump also thanked Pakistan for assisting in the suspect’s arrest, calling it a “very momentous day” for the families of the fallen troops.
“I want to thank especially the government of Pakistan for helping arrest this monster. This was a very momentous day for those 13 families, who I actually got to know very well, most of them, whose children were murdered and the many people—over 42—who were so badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan,” Trump said.
FBI confirms extradition of suspect
Following Trump’s remarks, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the suspect’s extradition, stating that U.S. agencies had taken custody of the individual.
“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,” Patel wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
He added: “One step closer to justice for these American heroes and their families.”
Trump links Afghanistan withdrawal to Putin’s strategy
Trump used the moment to reiterate his criticism of the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, suggesting that the chaotic exit signaled weakness to adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“What a horrible day. Such incompetence was shown that when Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, ‘Wow, maybe this is my chance.’ That’s how bad it was. It should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people,” Trump said.
The August 26, 2021, suicide bombing at Kabul’s Abbey Gate was one of the deadliest attacks during the withdrawal, killing 13 U.S. service members and nearly 200 Afghan civilians. The attack was claimed by ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group.
