Texas Rep. Mike McCaul released a report criticizing the military’s handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, pointing out serious mismanagement. The report highlighted Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan despite advice that the Taliban had violated the terms of the Doha agreement made by the previous administration. NATO allies also expressed opposition to the withdrawal, warning of the Taliban’s strategic victory. The report noted the State Department’s failure to create an evacuation plan despite warnings and the decision to withdraw troops before the embassy closed.
The report shed light on the State Department’s lack of urgency in drawing down the embassy in Kabul and failure to order a noncombatant evacuation operation until the Taliban had taken over. There were not enough troops present to start the evacuation, and the first warning to Americans to leave was sent late. Many were left stranded as the Transportation Department delayed approval for foreign planes to assist in evacuations. The report criticized ambassador Ross Wilson for growing the embassy’s presence as the security situation worsened and fleeing the country ahead of his staff.
The report revealed that few special immigrant visas were processed in the months leading up to the Taliban’s takeover, leaving many Afghans who had worked with U.S. forces behind. Americans and allies were turned away at the airport while unvetted individuals were allowed to evacuate. The lack of clear guidelines on who was eligible for evacuation led to the State Department evacuating thousands with no documentation. Despite volunteer groups evacuating over 300 Americans and residents after the troops left, many were left behind in Afghanistan.
As the Taliban took over Kabul, U.S. troops were forbidden from intervening as terror threats loomed. A terror attack by ISIS-K killed 13 U.S. service members and over 150 Afghans, highlighting the security challenges. Despite warnings of threats at Abbey Gate, the gate remained open, leading to the deadly attack. The U.S. failed to strike an ISIS-K terror cell before the bombing, resulting in civilian deaths in a subsequent airstrike. The report criticized the administration’s handling of the security situation and lack of response to ISIS-K activities in Afghanistan.
The report also discussed the long-term consequences of the withdrawal, including the abandonment of billions of dollars in U.S. weapons and funds now in Taliban control. The Taliban’s interior minister indicated a disregard for relations with the U.S. and the NATO report revealed the use of U.S. biometric devices to target Afghan allies. Under Taliban rule, hundreds of former officials and security force members have been killed or disappeared, and women and girls face severe restrictions. The U.S. has arrested individuals linked to ISIS-K who crossed the southern border, highlighting ongoing security concerns stemming from the Afghanistan withdrawal.
