President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces have captured Muhammed Sharifullah, the alleged mastermind behind the August 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan. This attack resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In his address before joint Congress, Trump stated, “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity. And he is right now on his way here to face the swift sword of American justice.”
Sharifullah, also known as “Jafar,” was apprehended near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border with assistance from Pakistani intelligence services acting on CIA intelligence. He is currently being extradited to the United States to face charges related to the bombing.
The Abbey Gate bombing occurred on August 26, 2021, during the final stages of the U.S. military’s evacuation from Afghanistan. The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS-K, the Islamic State’s branch in Afghanistan. The explosion killed 13 U.S. service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians who were gathered at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, seeking evacuation.
In April 2023, U.S. Central Command conducted a supplemental review of the incident, reaffirming initial findings and identifying the attacker as Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an ISIS-K member since 2016. The review concluded that the attack was not preventable at the tactical level, given the circumstances on the ground.
Sharifullah’s capture marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the attack. The operation underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating terrorism and bringing perpetrators to justice.
