U.S. Secretary of Defense Demands In-Depth Probe into Afghanistan Exit
(MENAFN) U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth initiated a full investigation into the 2021 U.S. exit from Afghanistan, emphasizing the need to assess the operation he described as disastrous.
In a memo issued on Tuesday, Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense had an obligation to scrutinize the withdrawal process, which resulted in significant loss. This included the deaths of 13 U.S. service members in a suicide bombing at Kabul airport.
"This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation," the memo stated.
The U.S. military's departure, marking the end of a nearly two-decade presence in Afghanistan, occurred under the direction of President Joe Biden and his national security team in August 2021. The operation was marred by a bombing at Kabul airport by an ISIS-linked attacker, killing both American soldiers and Afghan civilians.
Hegseth referred to the withdrawal as "disastrous and embarrassing."
Both Hegseth and President Donald Trump have consistently slammed the Biden administration for its handling of the withdrawal.
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