WASHINGTON – The heartbroken families of 13 American soldiers killed in an ISIS-K attack during an August 2021 evacuation from Kabul are blasting President Biden for ignoring the warnings of diplomatic and military officials not to end the US war in Afghanistan too soon.
The families of nine of the 13 fallen service members voiced their obvious grief and dismay at the loss of their loved ones before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday.
“What I still struggle with most is how this could all have been avoided, and [with] the constant lack of information, help and accountability and justice from the government,” said Jaclyn Schmitz, whose son Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz died in the attack.
The families spoke two years to the day they received their soldiers’ remains at Dover Air Force Base during what the military called a “dignified transfer” of their remains.
Most, like Schmitz, are calling for accountability — for Biden and his administration to take responsibility for their actions instead of calling the evacuation mission a “success” for moving more than 120,000 people out of a country collapsing as it fell to the Taliban.
“We want answers. We need answers. And we expect that answer,” said Darin Hoover, whose son Staff Sgt. Darin “Taylor” Hoover died in the explosion.
The family of a US military Gold Star killed during the retreat from Afghanistan has criticized President Biden for ignoring warning signs before the suicide bombing at Kabul airport. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
13 service members were killed during a suicide bombing at an airport on August 26, 2021. Marine Division, Camp Pendleton/US Department of Defense via AP
“I want to know why the current administration cannot be held accountable for their actions in the days, weeks and months leading up to this fateful day.”
Paula Knauss Selph, whose son Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss was among those killed, also slamming the Biden administration’s apparent avoidance of accountability, blaming them for blaming the uproar on former President Donald Trump’s decision.
“President Biden and his executive Cabinet must publicly accept responsibility for the chaotic withdrawal at the end of a 20-year war,” he said. “Several presidents are ahead of Mr. Biden in this 20-year war, but none of them should be held responsible for the withdrawal. That’s him and him alone. That is the burden.”
Steve Nikoui, father of the late Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, said that he felt the State Department and the White House had failed to learn from the 2021 withdrawal, adding that he “would like all other transfers of this type to be held from the Department of Defense instead.”
“To be honest with you, I think if [the Biden administration] had to do it again, they would do it the same way,” he said. “I don’t think we’ve changed or we’ll change their chain of thought.”
Jaclyn Schmitz, mother of Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, called his son’s death “preventable” on Tuesday.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Two years later, the question remains
Meanwhile, lawmakers, such as Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), called for an independent investigation into the lead-up to and aftermath of the deadly Kabul blast.
“I apologize on behalf of our government, especially the executive branch for not being honest with you and for engaging in what I consider to be a gross cover-up,” Smith told the family. “There needs to be a completely independent investigation into all the very valid questions that you’ve raised and my colleagues have raised there with regard to our concerns as well.”
Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) accused Biden of trying to “run a political operation to win political points rather than a military operation to win the fight,” criticizing his initial decision to choose September 11, 2021 – the 20-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks – as the date end of withdrawal. The date was later moved to August 30, 2021, in response to criticism.
The remains of fallen soldiers arrive at Dover Air Force Base on August 29, 2021. US Marines/Circulation via REUTERS
“We know for a fact that there was a failure to use any common sense at any stage of planning that you could say happened. They operate with the mentality of calculating the best case scenario, not calculating for the worst case scenario at all,” he said.
“He is using our military as a pawn for politics.”
In addition to criticizing Biden’s decision, the Gold Star family accused his administration of hiding the facts behind how and why their son, daughter, husband and wife died in the August 26, 2021 explosion.
“I want to know why the red flags are being ignored: dissent cables, sniper requests, air support requests,” said Christy Shamblin, whose daughter-in-law Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee died in the explosion. “I think having transparency in all of that is very important to me.”
Christy Shamblin, mother-in-law of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee, questioned Tuesday why the Biden administration ignored dissenting cables about the withdrawal.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Schmitz said “his family was lied to” about the events leading up to the ISIS-K attack, calling testimony by Marine Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who told the committee in March that “the suicide bomber was identified before the explosion, but the Marines were ordered to stand down.
“We launched a well-executed defense and evacuation, and [they] ended up spitting in our faces by referring to the transfer as a ‘remarkable success,’” he said. “Is the loss of 13 servicemen and women successful? Is success ending a 20-year war in which veterans feel they fought in vain?”
Some people, like Herman Lopez — the father of Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez – said the Pentagon did not return some items belonging to soldiers – including cell phones that hold photos of soldiers’ last moments that family members want to see.
“There has been some debate as to whether any of Hunter’s property has ever been recovered, and it has been mentioned before that there are some SD cards and digital media that may be missing from some families,” Lopez said.
“I always wanted to know why those things weren’t returned to us.”
Herman Lopez, father of Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, claimed Tuesday that the Pentagon has not returned all of his son’s belongings.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Respect the fallen
Several families called for a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden to honor the fallen heroes, accusing Biden of failing to mention the names of the 13. The Post also could not find a record of Biden mentioning their names in person.
“They should have these 13 pictures in the Rose Garden at the White House and be honored by this administration. Period,” said Nikoui.
Steve Nikoui, father of the late Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, claimed Tuesday that the White House and State Department had not learned any lessons from the failed withdrawal.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
Although the president has listed the 11 dead Marines, one soldier and one sailor in an official White House statement and has referred to “13 soldiers,” the family claims that he did not read each individual name in a public speech.
He failed to do so even during his address to the nation on the day of the attack, according to the transcript. At the time, the decision was consistent with the Pentagon’s policy of not releasing the names of those killed in action until 48 hours after notification of next of kin. But as recently as Saturday, Biden failed to list their names in a White House statement marking the two-year anniversary of their deaths.
“Today, Jill and I remember and mourn these 13 brave American service members and over 100 innocent Afghan civilians who were killed in the horrific terrorist attack at Abbey Gate,” he wrote in the statement.
Darin Hoover and Kelly Barnett, parents of Staff Sgt. Taylor Hoover, speaking Tuesday at a House Foreign Affairs Committee roundtable.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In a moving moment during the trial, Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) tearfully asked each family representative to name their loved one and list some of their qualities, because Biden did not.
“Sgt. Nicole Gee was an inspiration for life,” said Christy Shamblin, her mother-in-law.
“Staff Sgt. Darin ‘Taylor’ Hoover — a fearless leader and a great protector,” said his father, Darin Hoover. Kelly Barnett, his mother, also called him “a champion of people, a lover of people.”
Paula Knauss Selph with a photo of her son Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Christian Knauss.REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Coral Briseno, mother of Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, crying during a roundtable event on Tuesday.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
“Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Christian Knauss: Brave, influential, full of joy,” said his mother, Paula Knauss Selph.
“Hunter Lopez, Corporal of the United States Marine Corps, a noble warrior,” said his father, Herman Lopez. Alicia Lopez, his mother, called him a “Jedi warrior.”
“Lance Cpl. Dylan Ryan Merola: loved, strong Marine, respected,” said his mother, Cheryl Rex.
“[Lance Cpl.] Kareem M. Nikoui, a born-again Christian,” said his father, Steve Nikoui.
Rep. Darrell Issa presents Cheryl Rex, mother of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, flag flying over the Capitol building.AP Photo/Alex Brandon
“Daegan William Tyler Page: Big heart, tough exterior,” said his father, Greg Page.
“Cpl. Humberto ‘Burt’ Sanchez. He is a great defender,” said his mother, Coral Briseno.
“Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz: a passionate, honorable warrior,” said his father, Mark Schmitz. Jaclyn Schmitz, her mother, added that she was “humble and dedicated.”
Also killed in the blast were Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Maxton W. Soviak, and Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza and Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, although their families were not present on the panel.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
