A senior administration official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the ISIS-K terrorist responsible for directing the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the Biden administration’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 has been killed by the Taliban.

The suicide bombing at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport resulted in the deaths of 11 Marines, one Navy sailor, and one Army soldier, with 18 other U.S. service members wounded and over 150 civilians dead. The official characterized the operative as “the mastermind of that awful attack” who had remained a key ISIS-K figure and was still engaged in efforts to perpetrate violence.

The official emphasized that this was a Taliban operation and not a joint operation with the United States. However, the official viewed this development as a symbol of the challenging landscape in Afghanistan for terrorists like ISIS-K, who may attempt to carry out plots against Americans.

“This was a Taliban operation,” he told Fox News. “We view this operation as emblematic of a landscape in Afghanistan. It has become very challenging for terrorists, like ISIS-K, who might seek to engage in the type of external plotting that could harm Americans.”

He also noted that the Taliban’s operation “reflects the president’s judgment that we did not need to remain on the ground in harm’s way in Afghanistan in perpetuity in order to effectively address any terrorist threats to us.”

“Regardless of who carried out the operation, the fact that this result was achieved, and this person who’s had American blood on his hands is himself no longer on the battlefield and able to perpetrate further violence, we think that is a development worth communicating to grieving families,” the official said. “We think it’s a development worth conveying to the world. And we think it’s important frankly, a development as the world continues to seek to degrade ISIS-K and any threat it might try to pose.”

“We’re working closely with our international partners, including through the global coalition, to defeat ISIS, to degrade ISIS-K and other parts of the ISIS global network,” the official added. “Bottom line: President Biden will continue to take all steps needed to protect the U.S. and its interests around the world from terrorist threats, wherever they might arise.”

The official’s commentary doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in the Biden administration’s ability to protect the American public. It was the White House’s incompetence that resulted in the deaths of those killed during the withdrawal.

The lack of proper planning and coordination in the withdrawal process has been widely criticized. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and military, as well as the swift takeover of the country by the Taliban, caught many by surprise. The chaotic scenes at the Kabul airport, with desperate Afghans trying to flee the country and U.S. service members struggling to maintain order, were broadcasted around the world, which remain stark reminders of this president’s inability to keep Americans safe.

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