Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

Three years after the deadly attack that killed 13 American service members during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Biden administration continues to face criticism for its handling of the operation.

On Monday, the United States marked the third anniversary of the deadly ISIS-K bombing on Abbey Gate at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. The attack, which occurred during the tumultuous U.S. withdrawal from the country, resulted in the tragic deaths of 13 service members and 170 Afghan civilians.

The anniversary has reignited criticism against the Biden administration's chaotic withdrawal, which has been widely condemned as a major foreign policy blunder. Senior strategic analyst and retired Gen. Jack Keane asserted that the decision to withdraw was the administration's "most seminal, serious foreign policy blunder" that sparked a series of events with grave consequences.

Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

Keane highlighted that intelligence had warned of the Taliban's growing presence across Afghanistan, but President Biden disregarded these warnings and pressed ahead with the withdrawal plans. This decision, he argued, created a vacuum that emboldened other global aggressors, including Russia and Iran.

"They see it as huge political weakness on our part," Keane said. "They've been coming for us ever since to take advantage of these vulnerabilities."

Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

The intelligence failure regarding the Taliban's resurgence can be traced back to the Trump administration's agreement with the Taliban in February 2020, which stipulated the complete withdrawal of American troops by May 2021. While Biden extended this deadline to August 2021, he maintained that the U.S. needed to end its involvement in Afghanistan.

"We faced one of two choices: follow the agreement of the previous administration and extend it... or send in thousands of more troops and escalate the war," Biden said in an August 2021 address to the nation.

Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

Despite taking responsibility for the Abbey Gate attack, Biden also pointed the finger at his predecessor for entering into a flawed agreement with the Taliban. However, the administration has faced persistent backlash, including from Vice President Kamala Harris, who played a key role in the withdrawal decision.

"It was the greatest foreign policy blunder of our lifetimes," said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-LA. "It led to a series of other events that emboldened our adversaries around the world and allowed the Taliban to take back over."

Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

In a statement, Biden expressed gratitude to the 13 service members who lost their lives in the attack, acknowledging the profound loss and sacrifice they made for their country.

"We owe them and their families a sacred debt we will never be able to fully repay, but will never cease working to fulfill," Biden said.

Anniversary of Abbey Gate Bombing: Biden Administration Faces Backlash for Chaotic Afghanistan Withdrawal

While the U.S. has withdrawn its troops from Afghanistan, Biden emphasized that the commitment to prevent attacks on American soil and its people remains unwavering.

"Today, our longest war is over. But our commitment to preventing attacks on our homeland — or our people — never will be," Biden said.

Harris also released a statement, reiterating her support for Biden's decision to withdraw. She emphasized the need to honor the sacrifices made by those who served in Afghanistan and to rededicate the nation to the cause of protecting its citizens.