A senior Afghan special forces commander has voiced his shock and disappointment at President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Lt. General Sami Sadat described the moment he learned of the withdrawal order as feeling "like a dagger to my heart."
Sadat, who was leading an operation in southwestern Afghanistan at the time, told congressional investigators that Biden "looked like a tyrant, he sounded like a tyrant, and he acted as a tyrant" when making the announcement. The commander's testimony was part of a Republican-led investigation into the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Sadat, who served as a commander of the Afghan National Special Operation Corps and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army, expressed his disbelief at the sudden decision. He described the moment as excruciating, noting that it was difficult to separate "two war brothers" who had worked together for two decades.
The 39-year-old commander stated that Biden's decision not only betrayed the U.S.-Afghan Strategic agreement but also the wishes of American troops. He believed the withdrawal caused a strategic defeat for both Afghans and Americans.
Sadat also pointed out that the rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces coincided with the Taliban's aggressive deployment against Afghan troops, creating a challenging situation for the country's military.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee, which conducted the probe, revealed a series of missteps leading up to Biden's decision. The report highlighted issues of complacency and mismanagement as American forces and diplomats departed amid chaotic scenes.
Sadat told investigators:
What followed next was a rapid withdrawal of the U.S. forces from the country while the Taliban rapidly deployed against the Afghan troops, politically there was immense pressure by Secretary Blinken and his envoy on our President to resign office.
The withdrawal had significant consequences, including the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on August 15, 2021, the same day Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
The civilian evacuation was not formally ordered until August 16, a day after the Taliban had taken control of Kabul. This led to chaotic scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport, with desperate Afghans attempting to flee the country.
Sadat emphasized the personal impact of the withdrawal, stating that he lost U.S. friends and the military edge on the battlefield as the U.S. removed its air force and supporting contractors. He firmly believed that the Taliban would not have been able to defeat Afghan troops if not for Biden's decision.
The commander's testimony provides a stark perspective on the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. It highlights the complex relationship between U.S. and Afghan forces and the profound impact of strategic decisions on military operations and geopolitical stability.
The Afghan commander's words underscore the lasting effects of the withdrawal on both countries and the broader implications for regional security. His account serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost and strategic challenges associated with such significant military decisions.
