US President Donald Trump said a top terrorist behind the August 2021 Kabul airport bombing has been apprehended and is being brought to the U.S. to face justice. He said ISIS terrorists were responsible for the attack at Abbey Gate, which killed 13 American service members and many others during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Speaking in his first address to Congress of his second term, Trump described the move as a sign of America’s renewed strength against radical Islamic terrorism.
Mohammad Sharifullah, who was allegedly involved in the planning of the bombing during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, was charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support for terrorism. He arrived in the US on Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the operation.
“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,” Trump said in his joint address to Congress.
Pakistan acted on CIA intelligence that led to the arrest of Sharifullah, according to another source familiar with the matter. In his speech, Trump thanked Pakistan for “helping arrest this monster.”