Military Could Have Stopped Afghanistan Bomber Who Killed 13 Americans, Service Member Testifies
Snipers would be forbidden from taking shots during a failed withdrawal by leaders
According to an American service member on the ground, the U.S. military had snipers at Afghanistan’s airport prior to the terror attack that claimed 13 Americans. They were given the opportunity to kill the bomber, but they weren’t authorized by military leaders.
Tyler Vargas – Andrews is a U.S. Marine Corps sergeant. Vargas-Andrews had been dispatched to Kabul by the Biden Administration’s botched evacuation. On Wednesday, Vargas – Andrews told House Foreign Affairs Committee members that his sniper unit was stopped from capturing the suspect terrorist bomber. Vargas-Andrews also described how the Biden state department turned Afghans away at the airport. “condemning them to death” at the Taliban’s feet. Vargas and Andrews were severely hurt in the attack on Aug. 26, which left 13 U.S. soldiers dead.
Vargas Andrews’s Sniper Team was given detailed information on the suspect bomber including his appearance. “I asked the intel guys why he wasn’t apprehended sooner since we had a full description,” In its inaugural public hearing, the Foreign Affairs Committee heard testimony from the veteran soldier about the disastrous withdrawal operation. “I was told the asset could not be compromised.”
Vargas Andrews, along with his crew, spotted the bomber shortly after. However, a commander ordered Vargas Andrews to stop. “We reassured him of the ease of fire on the suicide bomber,” Vargas-Andrews. “Pointedly, we asked him for engagement authority and permission. We asked him if we could shoot. Our battalion commander said, and I quote, ‘I don’t know.'”
“Plain and simple, we were ignored,” Vargas-Andrews said. “Our expertise was disregarded. No one was held accountable for our safety.”
The suicide bomber struck soon after the exchange. Vargas-Andrews recounted “a massive wave of pressure. I’m thrown 12 feet onto the ground, but instantly knew what had happened. I opened my eyes to Marines dead or unconscious lying around me.” Vargas-Andrews suffered multiple organ damage and lost two limbs. The attack has resulted in 44 surgeries.
Vargas-Andrews stated that the explosion was caused by a nuclear blast. “no one wanted my report post-blast. Even [the Naval Criminal Investigative Service] and the FBI failed to interview me.” He said that the withdrawal was necessary. “was a catastrophe and there was an inexcusable lack of accountability and negligence.”
Vargas and Andrews blamed a significant portion of this on the Biden State Department. This, he claimed, turned away scores Afghans looking for refuge from the Taliban.
“Some Afghans turned away from [Hamid Karzai International Airport] tried to kill themselves on the razor wire in front of us that we used as a deterrent,” “The veteran stated. “They thought this was merciful compared to the Taliban torture that they faced.”
Vargas and Andrews claimed that no State Department agents would process people trying to board American evacuation aircrafts in the evening. Vargas-Andrews stated that the State Department had removed Marines from security posts in order to assist Afghans who were unable to be processed. “condemning [these Afghans] to death.”
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