April 6, 2024
Release Number 20240406 – 01
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TAMPA, Fla. – As announced by U.S. Central Command in September 2023, the Commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, directed U.S. Army Central to examine through supplemental interviews new information made available via public testimony and public statements surrounding the Aug. 26, 2021, terrorist attack at Abbey Gate outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The supplemental review specifically sought to determine the following: 1) whether an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) test run occurred near Abbey Gate on Aug. 21, 2021; 2) whether, before the attack occurred, service members identified in the crowd the suicide bomber who committed the attack; and 3) whether service members posted at or around Abbey Gate had an opportunity to engage the bomber prior to the attack.
The review also focused on the Taliban’s use of excessive force and the decision to consolidate the defensive perimeter around Abbey Gate before the attack.
Over five months, a team of 13 service members from both the Marine Corps and the Army travelled to 24 locations, conducted more than 50 interviews, including 12 service members who were not previously interviewed due to medical evacuation or treatment and compiled more than 1,200 additional pages of documents, information, and imagery.
The interviews sought to determine whether those service members possessed any new information surrounding the attack, and, if so, whether that information would affect the findings of the initial Abbey Gate investigation, completed in November 2021.
The supplemental review team has completed its interviews and informed senior Departmental leadership of its assessments, conclusions, and recommendations.
The family members of those killed at Abbey Gate and select survivors affected are currently being informed of the findings of the supplemental review.
Our focus at this time continues to be on fulfilling our solemn obligations to the Abbey Gate Gold Star Families. We ask that you continue to respect their privacy. We will provide more information following the completion of family and survivor briefs.