An Afghan man accused of ties to the Islamic State group has been convicted in the United States for his role in the deadly 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul airport, one of the most devastating attacks during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
A federal jury in Alexandria, Virginia, found Mohammad Sharifullah guilty of conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS-K, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State. The attack, which took place on August 26, 2021, killed approximately 160 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. service members at Abbey Gate, a key entry point during evacuation operations.
Sharifullah now faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison following the one-count conviction in the international terrorism case. However, jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether the deaths directly resulted from his actions, a factor that could have led to a life sentence.
Prosecutors argued that Sharifullah played a central role in planning the attack and had links to other ISIS-K operations, including a deadly 2024 assault in Moscow. They said his own statements to investigators demonstrated his involvement and intent.
Defense attorneys countered that the case relied heavily on statements Sharifullah made during FBI interrogations, claiming he may have provided misleading information under pressure and without direct knowledge of the bombing itself.
The jury deliberated for roughly eight hours over two days, ultimately agreeing on the conspiracy charge but deadlocking on the more severe sentencing component. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga has not yet scheduled a sentencing date.
Investigations by U.S. Central Command previously identified the Abbey Gate bomber as Abdul Rahman al-Logari, an ISIS militant who had been released from prison by the Taliban shortly before the attack. Officials concluded that the bombing was not preventable despite reports of suspicious activity earlier that day.
The case has remained a focal point in U.S. political debate, particularly surrounding the withdrawal from Afghanistan. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the handling of the evacuation, while reviews have pointed to decisions made by both his administration and that of former President Joe Biden as contributing factors to the rapid collapse of Afghan security forces and the طالبان takeover.
The conviction marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for one of the deadliest moments of the Afghanistan withdrawal, as legal proceedings continue to examine the broader circumstances surrounding the attack.
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