Is the Pentagon Ready to Review the US Withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Washington, May 21 (NationPress) US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to initiate a thorough investigation into the "catastrophic and embarrassing withdrawal" of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.

This withdrawal marked the conclusion of nearly two decades of American military involvement in Afghanistan and was managed by then-US President Joe Biden and his national security team in August 2021.

In a memorandum issued on Tuesday, Hegseth noted that on August 26, 2021, the Biden administration executed a withdrawal of US military personnel and embassy officials from Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members and 170 civilians during a suicide bombing near the Abbey Gate of Kabul International Airport.

Hegseth emphasized, "This is a vital step toward restoring faith and trust with the American public and all those in uniform. It is prudent given the number of casualties and equipment lost during this operation."

He further asserted that the Department of Defence has a responsibility to investigate the operation, as the US administration owes it to the American citizens and the military personnel who served in Afghanistan to uncover the truth.

Hegseth stated, "Three and a half years ago, the Biden Administration's disastrous and embarrassing withdrawal from Afghanistan led to the deaths of 13 US service members and 170 civilians in a suicide bombing at the Kabul International Airport's Abbey Gate. President Trump pledged accountability for the events surrounding that military withdrawal, and I am dedicated to fulfilling that promise."

The US Defence Secretary has appointed Sean Parnell, the Chief Pentagon Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, to lead a special review panel focusing on the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Hegseth directed, "I am tasking the Assistant to the Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs, Sean Parnell, to assemble a Special Review Panel to investigate the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan."

Parnell, who served 485 days in Afghanistan, suffered injuries in action along with 85 percent of his platoon and lost many friends during the War on Terror. It is appropriate for him to lead this effort to reassess prior investigations conducted by US Central Command during the Biden Administration.

Additionally, he mentioned that Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, a decorated Marine officer who voiced concerns about the Afghanistan withdrawal, and Jerry Dunleavy, an author and journalist involved in the House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation into the withdrawal, will also be part of the Special Review Panel.

Hegseth concluded, "Sean and his team will scrutinize the facts, interview witnesses, analyze decision-making, and review the sequence of events that resulted in one of America's darkest moments. They will provide updates at appropriate intervals to keep the American public informed of our findings and any subsequent actions stemming from our review."