The White House confirmed the detention of Mohammad Sharifullah, who is alleged to be responsible for the deadly bombing at Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The bombing killed 13 US service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the press on Wednesday, stating, “Finally, after nearly four years, President Trump delivered justice for the families of the 13 American heroes who were killed at Abbey Gate…which was one of the worst humiliations in the history of our country. President Trump announced that we have detained Mohammad Sharifullah, the monster who was responsible for that horrific attack, and he was delivered to Dulles Airfield earlier this morning.”
Leavitt shared the details behind Sharifullah’s capture, noting that President Trump’s national security team had prioritized intelligence gathering from the first day in office. “President Trump’s team shared intelligence with regional countries like Pakistan, who helped identify this monster in the borderland area late last month,” Leavitt explained. She added that Sharifullah confessed to his involvement in the Abbey Gate bombing, as well as other attacks in Russia and Iran, during his interactions with Pakistani authorities.
Sharifullah was reportedly further interrogated by US law enforcement officers, including the FBI, after being brought to the United States. Leavitt emphasized that he would now face “the swift sword of American justice” for his crimes.
“This killer will now face the swift sword of American justice for these atrocities right here on United States soil,” Leavitt said. She also criticized President Joe Biden for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, “Joe Biden was responsible for this botched withdrawal, and he had three years to find this evil terrorist, and he didn’t even try to get the job done.”
CNN reported that Mohammad Sharifullah has been charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support for terrorism. He is alleged to have played a significant role in planning the bombing during the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.