Archive · 12 Dec 2025
2,000 Afghans in US Suspected of Terror Ties
Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, and Joe Kent, the director of the US National Counterterrorism Centre, said that around 2,000 Afghan nationals who came to the US after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan have suspected connections with terrorist groups.
They believe these individuals were not properly checked before entering the country.
Kent also mentioned that these Afghans entered the US under a program called Operation Allies Welcome.
He said that terror groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda are using countries like Afghanistan and Syria to plan attacks.
Kent blamed the Biden Administration's policies for a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard members.
Around 2,000 Afghan nationals in the US have suspected ties to terrorist groups.
They entered the US under Operation Allies Welcome after the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.
US agencies are investigating these individuals in collaboration with the FBI and DHS.
Terror groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda are using countries like Afghanistan and Syria to plan attacks.
The Biden Administration's policies were blamed for a shooting in Washington, D.C., by an Afghan national.
- Who
- US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and NCTC Director Joe Kent
- What
- Identified 2,000 Afghans with suspected terror ties
- When
- December 12, 2024
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Due to alleged inadequate vetting of Afghan evacuees
- Number of Afghans with suspected terror ties
- 2,000
- Total Afghans evacuated to the US
- 88,000
- Total people with alleged militant ties
- 18,000
- Operation name for Afghan evacuation
- Operation Allies Welcome
- Alleged shooter's name
- Rahmanullah Lakanwal
- Date of the shooting incident
- November 2024
- Location of the shooting incident
- Washington, D.C.