President Trump Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of Abbey Gate Attack, Criticizes Prior Administration's Afghanistan Withdrawal
President Trump has issued a proclamation commemorating the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which occurred on August 26, 2021. The attack, carried out by a lone ISIS-K terrorist, resulted in the deaths of 13 American service members and injuries to 45 others, along with over 160 civilians. The proclamation highlights that the terrorist was among thousands of prisoners released by the Taliban two months prior to the incident. President Trump used the occasion to honor the fallen service members and their families, listing each of the 13 names. He also criticized the previous administration's withdrawal from Afghanistan, describing it as a poorly executed decision that led to significant losses and a desperate evacuation effort. The proclamation specifically mentions the withdrawal of American forces from Bagram Airfield without notifying Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, leading to the Taliban's rapid advance and the release of terrorists and criminals. 
