U.S. Military Officials to Interview Service Members Wounded in Afghanistan Bombing
In response to increasing scrutiny, U.S. military officials have announced that they will be interviewing nearly 20 service members who were wounded in a catastrophic bombing in Afghanistan two years ago. These service members were eyewitnesses to the attack, but their accounts were never taken into consideration during the Pentagon’s investigation into the incident. Their public statements have raised doubts about the Pentagon’s previous claim that the attack was “not preventable.”
The decision to conduct additional interviews was made by Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, who oversees U.S. Central Command. According to Michael Lawhorn, a Central Command spokesman, Gen. Kurilla wants to ensure that all relevant voices are heard and that the facts of the incident are thoroughly examined. However, it should be noted that this move does not officially reopen the investigation.
This decision comes after months of pressure from the families of the military personnel involved in the attack and the Republican-led House Foreign Affairs Committee. Last month, the families of 11 of the 13 U.S. troops killed in the bombing spoke on Capitol Hill, demanding more transparency and accountability from the military commanders and the Biden administration.
Both the families of the fallen troops and lawmakers were notified of the decision by U.S. military officials on Friday.
The bombing, which took place on August 26, 2021, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 170 Afghans. Thousands of civilians had gathered outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to flee the incoming Taliban regime. Three days later, a U.S. drone strike killed 10 civilians, including seven children, in what was described as a botched operation targeting a suspected Islamic State suicide bomber.
These events have been widely considered a low point in President Biden’s presidency, and House Republicans have been investigating the actions of key administration members leading up to the decision to withdraw all American personnel from Afghanistan.
One key witness whose account has been singled out is Tyler Vargas-Andrews, a Marine sergeant who lost two limbs in the attack. Vargas-Andrews has claimed that he had the opportunity to fire on the suspected bomber before the explosion but was ordered not to by his commanders. He has also disputed the military’s conclusion that there was no evidence of gunmen opening fire on the troops after the blast.
Vargas-Andrews’ testimony, given under oath during a congressional hearing, has raised questions about the decision-making process and the level of accountability within the military. Other service members present during the attack have also echoed his claims.
In response to Vargas-Andrews’ testimony, Gen. Kurilla directed Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank to review the public testimony to determine if it contained any new information that was not considered in the previous investigation. Frank’s review concluded last month and revealed that additional wounded service members were not interviewed due to their immediate medical evacuation after the attack. The interviews will begin in the coming days, and Gen. Kurilla has requested an update from Frank within 90 days.
It should be noted that the suspected mastermind behind the attack was killed by the Taliban earlier this year, according to U.S. officials.
The interviews with the wounded service members are expected to shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the bombing in Afghanistan and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the events leading up to it. The Biden administration and military officials are under increasing pressure to be transparent and accountable for their actions in this tragic incident.