On the four-year anniversary of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Abbey Gate bombing that killed 13 American service members, special operations veterans who risked their lives to rescue civilians are calling for accountability. These veterans, including Dennis Price, a founder of ‘Heroes for Humanity,’ and Chad Robichaux, a retired Force Recon Marine, have shared their harrowing experiences of navigating Taliban-controlled areas to save civilians.
Price highlighted the administration’s failure in the withdrawal, noting that patriots carried the burden of saving lives after the government abandoned allies. Robichaux, who led the evacuation of over 17,000 people, expressed deep regret for those left behind. Mark Geist, a CIA contractor who survived the 2012 Benghazi siege, criticized the withdrawal as a ‘wound’ and emphasized the need for remembrance and action. The veterans also praise Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his efforts to investigate Pentagon’s failures.
Meanwhile, Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., who led his own rescue mission, blamed weak leadership for the failures and lauded Trump’s leadership. These calls for accountability come amid continuing demands for a comprehensive review of the withdrawal and its consequences.