Pentagon Decides to Investigate Troop Withdrawal from Afghanistan

The Pentagon has initiated an investigation into the circumstances and consequences of the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, released the document.

The statement notes that on August 26, 2021, during the implementation of the troop withdrawal plan decided by the Biden administration, a terrorist attack occurred at Kabul Airport, resulting in the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemen and approximately 170 civilians.

“President Trump and I have formally pledged full transparency for what transpired during our military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” the document states.

Memo regarding the Review of the U.S. Military Withdrawal from Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/2V7Dt8biOm

— Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) May 20, 2025

It is reported that over the past three months, the Pentagon has already conducted an investigation into the events.

According to Hegseth, a comprehensive review of all decisions and actions must take place.

The Secretary of Defense emphasized the need to establish accountability for those involved in the planning and execution of the operation.

It is worth recalling that the mission completion and the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan were announced on August 30, 2021.

The last U.S. serviceman to leave the country was Major General Chris Donahue, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

To ensure the safe evacuation of the U.S. diplomatic corps, foreign personnel, and Afghan allies, the United States deployed around 5,000 military personnel in Afghanistan.

During the large-scale air operation, more than 123,000 people were evacuated, making it one of the largest air evacuations in history.

Although the operation was not combat-related, U.S. military personnel were authorized to open fire in the event of a direct threat. It was under these conditions that the terrorist attack occurred near the gates of Kabul Airport, when a militant from the terrorist organization “Islamic State” detonated himself in the crowd.

Later, U.S. Central Command reported the elimination of the mastermind behind the attack, including the person responsible for the explosion mentioned in the report by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.