ISIS leader behind deaths of 13 US service members in Kabul is killed by Taliban

Breaking news: Families of the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives during the botched withdrawal of Afghanistan have learned that the ISIS-K terrorist leader responsible for the attack has been killed by the Taliban. This news comes as a relief to those who have been seeking justice for their loved ones.

The ISIS-K suicide attack killed 11 Marines, one Navy hospitalman, and one Army staff sergeant, and wounded 45 more U.S. troops at the Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, amid a chaotic and disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The attack also claimed the lives of nearly 200 Afghans.

According to a U.S. defense official, the Taliban killed the individual who was “most responsible” for the attack. While the official did not provide the specific identity of the ISIS-K member, families of the victims were the first to be informed of the news.

While the death of a terrorist is always a good thing, it does not diminish the Biden administration’s culpability for the failures that led to the attack on Abbey Gate. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) has vowed to continue the investigation until every stone is unturned and justice is served.

It’s been more than a year and a half since the bombing, and the Biden administration has yet to publicly identify the suicide bomber behind the deadly attack. The State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of ISIS-K leader Sanaullah Ghafari and for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for the Abbey Gate bombing.

The families of the fallen soldiers deserve answers and accountability. While the news of the ISIS-K leader’s death is a step in the right direction, it does not change the fact that mistakes were made and lives were lost.

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Let us honor the memory of the 13 U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice: Darin Taylor Hoover, Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Nicole Gee, Hunter Lopez, Daegan Page, Humberto Sanchez, David Espinoza, Jared Schmitz, Rylee McCollum, Dylan Merola, Kareem Nikoui, Maxton Soviak, and Ryan Christian Knauss.