The highest terrorist liable for the tragic Abbey Gate bombing—an assault that took the lives of 13 courageous U.S. service members throughout Joe Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan—has been apprehended and is now in FBI custody on American soil.
Chatting with a packed chamber, President Trump addressed the nation on Tuesday night time:
President Donald Trump: America is as soon as once more standing sturdy in opposition to the forces of radical Islamic terrorism. Three and a half years in the past, ISIS terrorists killed 13 American service members. and numerous others. Within the Abbey Gate bombing through the disastrous and incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan. Not that they had been withdrawing, it was the best way they withdrew. Maybe probably the most embarrassing second within the historical past of our nation.
Tonight, I’m happy to announce that we’ve got simply apprehended the highest terrorist liable for that atrocity. And he’s proper now on his approach right here to face the swift sword of American justice. And I wish to thank, particularly the federal government of Pakistan for serving to arrest this monster.
This was a really momentous day for these 13 households who I truly bought to know very properly, most of them whose kids had been murdered and the many individuals that had been so badly, over 42 individuals so badly injured on that fateful day in Afghanistan. What a horrible day.
Such incompetence was proven that when Putin noticed what occurred, I suppose he mentioned, properly, perhaps that is my probability. That’s how unhealthy it was. Ought to have by no means occurred. Grossly incompetent individuals.
President Trump pronounces that Muhammed Sharifullah — the ISIS terrorist who orchestrated the Abbey Gate assault — is on his method to the USA to face justice.
13 courageous American heroes had been killed within the assault. pic.twitter.com/XyHRoIeaWB
— Speedy Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 5, 2025
Shortly after President Trump’s announcement, FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the operation and praised the businesses concerned in bringing the terrorist—recognized as Mohammad Sharifullah, also referred to as “Jafar”—to justice:
“As President Trump simply introduced, I can report that tonight the FBI, DOJ, and CIA have extradited one of many terrorists liable for the homicide of the 13 American troopers at Abbey Gate through the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. One step nearer to justice for these American heroes and their households.”
Thanks to our unimaginable companions and courageous FBI personnel who made this occur. You represented your nation brilliantly.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 5, 2025
In a separate publish, Patel praised the Trump administration officers who had fought tirelessly to carry terrorists accountable, together with Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi and Director of the Central Intelligence Company John Ratcliffe:
“That point you delivered the sword of justice for the American individuals—thanks to your unimaginable management AG Pam Bondi and John Ratcliffe. So happy with the women and men of the FBI, DOJ, and CIA.”
That point you delivered the sword of justice for the American people- thanks to your unimaginable management @AGPamBondi and @JohnRatcliffe . So happy with the women and men of the FBI, DOJ, and CIA.
Justice for Abby Gate- terrorist Jafar formally in US custody pic.twitter.com/EN1wjwjzCw
— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) March 5, 2025
The terrorist, Jafar, was formally introduced into U.S. custody late Tuesday night time and is predicted to face trial on American soil.
In keeping with the press launch:
On March 2, 2025, the USA charged Mohammad Sharifullah, also referred to as “Jafar,” a member of the terrorist group the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province (ISIS-Ok), with offering and conspiring to supply materials assist and assets to a delegated overseas terrorist group leading to loss of life, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2339B. Sharifullah has been arrested and is predicted to seem within the Jap District of Virginia on March 5, 2025.
“This evil ISIS-Ok terrorist orchestrated the brutal homicide of 13 heroic Marines,” mentioned Legal professional Basic Pamela Bondi. “Underneath President Trump’s sturdy management on the world stage, this Division of Justice will make sure that terrorists like Mohammad Sharifullah haven’t any secure haven, no second probabilities, and no worse enemy than the USA of America.”
“The deadly assault that killed 13 American service members and Afghan civilians through the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was an act of terrorism,” mentioned FBI Director Kash Patel. “ISIS-Ok overtly claimed duty for the carnage. Now due to the help of the FBI, Division of Justice, and the CIA, we’ve got secured Sharifullah’s apprehension and transport to the U.S. to face American justice. The FBI will always remember the lack of these American heroes, we are going to proceed to search out those that viciously murdered our warriors, we are going to discover all accountable and convey them to justice.”
“The fees introduced right now carry an unmistakable message: the dedication of the USA to carry accountable all who facilitate and perform acts of terror in opposition to us won’t ever waver,” mentioned U.S. Legal professional Erik S Siebert for the Jap District of Virginia. “Our message to those that have been impacted by these horrific crimes is that you’re not forgotten. We’ll proceed to pursue justice regardless of how lengthy or how far it takes us.”
On Aug. 26, 2021, American and different Coalition army forces had been conducting an evacuation operation at Hamid Karzai Worldwide Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Abbey Gate was the principle entry level for the operation. Hundreds of civilians had been at Abbey Gate for evacuation.
At roughly 5:36 p.m., ISIS-Ok member Abdul Rahman al-Logari detonated a body-worn suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, killing 13 U.S. army service members and roughly 160 civilians.
Throughout an interview with FBI Particular Brokers on March 2, 2025, after waiving his Miranda rights, Sharifullah admitted to serving to put together for the Abbey Gate assault, together with scouting a route close to the airport for an attacker. Sharifullah particularly checked for legislation enforcement and American or Taliban checkpoints; he then communicated to different ISIS-Ok members that he believed the route was clear and that the attacker wouldn’t be detected. Sharifullah additionally admitted to recognizing al-Logari as an ISIS-Ok operative he had beforehand recognized.
Throughout his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah additionally admitted to supporting and conducting actions on behalf of ISIS-Ok in a number of different deadly assaults.
On June 20, 2016, a suicide bomber appearing for ISIS-Ok detonated a bomb that killed over ten embassy guards and a number of civilians and wounded different troopers guarding the Canadian embassy in Kabul. ISIS claimed duty for the assault. As alleged within the criticism, previous to the assault, Sharifullah performed surveillance to arrange the suicide bomber and later transported the bomber to the assault space.
On March 22, 2024, a bunch of ISIS-Ok gunmen attacked Crocus Metropolis Corridor close to Moscow, Russia. The assault killed roughly 130 individuals and injured quite a few others. Russian authorities arrested 4 gunmen in reference to the assault. Throughout his interview with the FBI, Sharifullah admitted that, on behalf of ISIS-Ok, he had shared directions on the best way to use AK-style rifles and different weapons to would-be attackers. Sharifullah additionally admitted to recognizing two of the 4 arrested gunmen as these he had beforehand instructed.
If convicted, Sharifullah faces a most penalty of life in jail. A federal district courtroom choose will decide any sentence after contemplating the U.S. Sentencing Tips and different statutory components.