Biden Releases Statement On The Two-Year Anniversary Of Afghan Evacuation Attack
President Joe Biden issued a statement marking the second anniversary of a terrorist attack on U.S. military personnel during their withdrawal from Afghanistan. This statement was disclosed through a press release from the White House.
Back on August 26, 2021, a suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest outside Kabul International Airport, resulting in the deaths of 13 American servicemembers. The airport was a crucial site for evacuating American citizens, allied nationals, and eligible Afghans. At the time, President Biden faced criticism for his decision-making amid the withdrawal. However, he released a statement on the following Saturday to honor the fallen individuals, as confirmed by a White House press release.
The press release conveyed the sentiment: President Biden, along with Jill Biden, remembered and grieved for the 13 brave American service members and over 100 innocent Afghan civilians who lost their lives in the Abbey Gate terrorist attack. The attack caused numerous injuries, and its traumatic impact will be carried by survivors for the rest of their lives.
The families of the deceased servicemembers have criticized President Biden, blaming his leadership for the deaths. Paula Knauss Selph, mother of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss, who died in the attack, expressed that the administration's failure was responsible for the tragedy. Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee who also died in the attack, criticized the leaders' characterization of the evacuation as a success. Carol Briseno, mother of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto Sanchez who lost his life, even suggested that Biden should resign.
One of the victims, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum, age 20, drew significant attention due to his wife being eight months pregnant at the time. Sadly, his daughter was born less than a month after his demise.
Criticism continues to be directed at President Biden for both the bombing incident and his response to it. Republican Representative Darrell Issa of California, who urged Biden to meet the victims' families, claims to have received no response from the President.
Additionally, some commentators faulted Biden for not publicly reading out the names of the fallen servicemembers.
The press release underlined the perpetual commemoration of the 13 service members' memory and the acknowledgment of the sacrifice made by the 2,461 U.S. service members who lost their lives in Afghanistan, as well as the 20,744 who sustained injuries.
