Pentagon Investigates Preceding Events of Kabul Attack That Resulted in the Deaths of 13 U.S. Soldiers

TL/DR –

A new Pentagon review affirms that the bombing at Kabul’s airport in August 2021, which killed 13 U.S. service members, could not have been prevented by American troops. The review comes amidst assertions by some Marines that they had identified the suspected suicide bomber, known as “Bald Man in Black”, and were denied permission to shoot him. The report concluded that the man seen by the Marines did not match the confirmed identity of the bomber, Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, and that Mr. Logari arrived at the gate immediately before the bombing, limiting his chances of detection.

A Pentagon Review on Kabul Airport Attack Affirms No US Missed Opportunities

A Pentagon review reconfirms previous findings that US troops could not have averted the August 2021 Kabul airport bombing that killed 13 American service members and as many as 170 civilians. The review details the events at Abbey Gate, including how the Islamic State bomber breached the evacuating crowd at the capital’s airport.

Discrepancy in Marines’ and Pentagon’s Accounts

While some Marines on the ground claim they identified the Islamic State bomber known as “Bald Man in Black” hours before the attack, the review released in February 2022 denies the allegation. This narrative has fueled criticism of the Biden administration’s evacuation from Kabul.

Military Stance on Kabul Airport Bombing

After 20 years of war, the Kabul airport bombing was a traumatic experience. The military continues to affirm that a lone Islamic State suicide bomber was responsible, without accomplices firing into the crowd. Amid political pressure, more people were interviewed to reconcile disparities in earlier accounts and reviews.

Details About the Suicide Bomber

After the attack, intelligence analysts identified the bomber as Abdul Rahman Al-Logari, a former student and ISIS-K fighter liberated from a high-security prison after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Logari had been known to the CIA since 2017 for plotting a suicide bombing in New Delhi. His release indirectly led to the 20-pound explosive detonation at the Kabul airport.

Clarity on the Marines’ Additional Input

Marines reported a suspicious man matching the bomber’s description at the gate on the bombing day, but the review team concluded they misidentified him. Also, Al-Logari arrived at Abbey Gate immediately before the attack, minimizing detection chances.

Revising Initial Misconceptions About the Attack

The review dismissed Marines’ reports of specific individuals conducting a dry run for the attack. While the Marines’ accounts were sincere, they were deemed mistaken, with the traumatic recollections not supported by subsequent investigations. The initial reports of militants firing into the crowd stand contradicted by the original Army-led investigation.

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