Michael Hernandez and Saadet Gokce
05 March 2025•Update: 05 March 2025
WASHINGTON/ISTANBUL
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US is transporting an individual suspected of plotting a deadly 2021 ISIS (Daesh) bombing at Kabul's international airport that killed 13 US troops and about 170 Afghan civilians.
"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 during a joint address to both chambers of Congress.
Trump thanked the Pakistani government "for helping arrest this monster," calling his detention a "momentous day" for the families of the slain US service members.
The president did not identify the suspect by name, but CNN reported that he is Mohammad Sharifullah, a person who allegedly helped plan the Abbey Gate Bombing in the final days of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Trump continued to criticize the US withdrawal, calling it "disastrous and incompetent."
"It was the way they withdrew, perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country," he said.
"Such incompetence was shown that when Putin saw what happened, I guess he said, 'Well, maybe this is my chance.' That's how bad it was. Should have never happened. Grossly incompetent people."
Trump was referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his decision to attack Ukraine.
"We thank US President Donald Trump for acknowledging and appreciating Pakistan’s role and support in counter terrorism efforts across the region," Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif posted on X, following Trump’s appreciating remarks.
