An alleged Islamic State group militant has been convicted of a conspiracy charge in connection with the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul's airport during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Mohammad Sharifullah, 26, was found guilty by a federal jury in Virginia on Wednesday of providing material support to the Islamic State's regional branch, ISIS-K.
Conviction and Sentencing
Sharifullah faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison after the one-count conviction. The jury, however, deadlocked on whether any deaths at the airport directly resulted from the conspiracy, sparing him a potential life sentence. President Donald Trump had previously highlighted the case during a speech to a joint session of Congress last year.
The Attack
The suicide bombing occurred on August 26, 2021, at Abbey Gate, an entry point to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. U.S. troops were conducting a massive evacuation operation when a lone bomber detonated an improvised explosive device, killing approximately 160 Afghans and 13 American service members. The attack marked one of the deadliest days for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since 2011.
Trial Details
During the weeklong trial, Sharifullah did not testify in his own defense. Prosecutors argued that he played a key role in the conspiracy, though the exact nature of his involvement was not fully disclosed. The defense maintained that Sharifullah was not directly responsible for the bombing. The jury's inability to reach a unanimous decision on the death count means the court will determine an appropriate sentence at a later date.
This conviction is seen as a significant step in holding those responsible for the attack accountable, even as questions remain about the broader chain of command and planning behind the bombing.
