Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a full review of the U.S. military’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan to determine how the operation unfolded and who was responsible for its failures.
In a memo released Tuesday, Hegseth said the Department of Defense had already completed a three-month internal review. Based on those findings, he now wants a broader investigation to provide a full account to the American public.
“We need to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure that accountability for this event is met and that the complete picture is provided to the American people,” Hegseth said.
On August 26, 2021, during the presidency of Joe Biden, a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS-K detonated an explosive at Abbey Gate, one of the main entrances to Kabul Airport, as U.S. forces were in the final stages of withdrawing from Afghanistan. The attack killed 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.
In March, the U.S. announced the apprehension of Mohammad Sharifullah, the suspected ISIS terrorist behind the bombing.
“I have formally pledged full transparency for what transpired during our military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” Hegseth said.
According to the memo, the review will be carried out by a Special Review Panel led by Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The panel will look at past investigations and analyze the decisions made before and during the withdrawal.
“This team will ensure accountability to the American people and the warfighters of our great Nation,” Hegseth said.
No timeline has been provided for the completion of the review.
