Abbey Gate bombing: timeline

Taliban condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism, and vowed to track down ISIS-K operatives responsible for the bombing

Afghanistan: A devastating suicide bombing struck the crowded entrance of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26, 2021, killing at least 182 people, including 13 US service members and 169 Afghan civilians. The attack, carried out by a member of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), occurred amid a chaotic evacuation effort following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

Attack and Casualties

The bombing targeted Abbey Gate, one of the main entrances to the airport, where thousands of Afghan civilians had gathered, hoping to flee the country. Witnesses reported a massive explosion followed by gunfire, leading to further casualties. The US military confirmed that some victims may have been struck by gunfire, but it remains unclear whether it came from US or Taliban forces attempting to secure the area.

Reactions and Response

The Taliban condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism, and vowed to track down ISIS-K operatives responsible for the bombing. US President Joe Biden delivered a televised address, mourning the loss of American troops and Afghan civilians while vowing retaliation. “We will hunt you down and make you pay,” Biden stated, directing military leaders to take action against those behind the attack.

US Airstrikes and Fallout

In response, the US military launched a drone strike on August 27, targeting suspected ISIS-K members in Nangarhar Province. Another drone strike followed on August 29 in Kabul, aiming at an alleged terrorist threat but mistakenly killing 10 Afghan civilians, including seven children. The Pentagon later admitted that the second strike was a tragic mistake, sparking international criticism and calls for accountability.

Aftermath and Continuing Investigations

The attack remains one of the deadliest incidents during the final days of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Reports in 2024 have raised new questions about the Pentagon’s initial accounts, with newly disclosed footage suggesting extensive gunfire after the blast. While US officials maintain that all casualties resulted from the suicide bombing, eyewitnesses argue that panicked gunfire may have contributed to the death toll.

International Reactions

World leaders condemned the attack, with the United Nations and European Union expressing solidarity with the victims. The U.K. and other nations reaffirmed their commitment to evacuating vulnerable Afghans despite the heightened security risks. Meanwhile, human rights organizations have called for independent investigations into both the attack and the US drone strikes that followed.

The attack underscores the persistent threat of ISIS-K in Afghanistan and the fragile security situation under Taliban rule. With ongoing instability and concerns about further terrorist activities, the tragedy at Kabul airport remains a dark chapter in Afghanistan’s history.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday lauded the Pakistani government over its efforts to arrest a significant suspect in last year’s 2021 Kabul airport bombing attack, which cost the lives of 13 American soldiers and countless Afghan civilians. Addressing Congress in a joint session on Tuesday evening, Trump spoke of his gratitude, adding, “I want to thank, especially, the Pakistani government for helping arrest this monster.”

In his address—at an hour and 49 minutes, a record for an address of its type Trump announced that the suspect, whose name was given as Mohammad Sharifullah, had been apprehended and extradited to America to stand trial. “Three and a half years ago, a [Daesh] terrorist murdered 13 great American warriors and dozens of Afghan men, women, and children in the horrific Abbey Gate bombing,” Trump declared. “Tonight, I am delighted to announce that we have just captured the highest terrorist behind that atrocity. And he is now being brought here to face the swift sword of American justice.”

His statement was greeted with applause, and he again expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s assistance, terming it a milestone for the families of the victims of the attack.

Pakistan’s Role Affirmed by US Officials
US senior officials affirmed that Pakistan had arrested Sharifullah, a top commander of the ISIS-K group, after intelligence was shared by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A US official close to the case characterized Sharifullah, also referred to as “Jafar,” as one of the main planners of the August 26, 2021, bombing at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport. The bombing took place during the hasty withdrawal of US and allied forces from Afghanistan.

“He has been a high-priority target for the US intelligence community for a number of years,” the official said, noting that he would be arriving in the US on Wednesday, where an indictment would be officially handed down. A second US official disclosed that Sharifullah oversaw personally the carrying out of the bombing, which killed 170 Afghan civilians and the 13 US service members.

Call for Unity Amid Political Divisions
In his speech, President Trump also appealed for bipartisan support, showing disappointment at the lukewarm reception from some Democratic legislators present. “This is my fifth such address to Congress, and again, I see Democrats before me, and I understand there is nothing I can say to make them happy, to make them stand, smile, or applaud,” Trump said.

Despite political tensions, he urged lawmakers to put aside their differences for the nation’s benefit. “For just this one night, why not come together and celebrate the incredible victories we’ve achieved for America? Let’s work together and truly make America great again,” he urged. His speech, though, was not controversy-free. Democrats heckled Trump throughout his address, and Representative Al Green was escorted out of the chamber at the behest of House Speaker Mike Johnson. This was Trump’s first speech to Congress after he returned for his second term, an event for which he seized the chance to promote his administration’s successes and policy agenda.