Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a full-scale review of the Biden-Harris administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, citing the need for accountability following the loss of 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 civilians during the chaotic evacuation at Kabul International Airport in August 2021.

In a memo released Tuesday, Hegseth directed the Pentagon to initiate a formal investigation into the withdrawal, which he described as a “chaotic” operation that resulted in significant casualties and the loss of billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment.

“President Biden’s administration led a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. military and embassy officials from Afghanistan that led to the deaths of 13 U.S. Service members and 170 civilians in a suicide bombing at the Kabul International Airport’s Abbey Gate,” Hegseth stated in the memo.

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The Defense Secretary emphasized that the Department of Defense must provide answers to both the American people and the service members who fought in the 20-year conflict.

“The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts,” Hegseth wrote.

“This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation.”

Hegseth noted that although the Pentagon has previously conducted internal reviews of the withdrawal, the scale and consequences of the operation warrant a more thorough, independent examination.

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“I have concluded that we need to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure that accountability for this event is met and that the complete picture is provided to the American people,” he said.

To oversee this effort, Hegseth has appointed Senior Advisor Sean Parnell and the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (ATSD-PA) to lead a Special Review Panel (SRP).

The panel will be tasked with independently analyzing prior investigations, reviewing all findings of fact, evaluating source materials and witness testimony, and scrutinizing the decisions made in the lead-up to the withdrawal.

“To meet this imperative, I am directing the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (ATSD-PA) and Senior Advisor, Sean Parnell to convene a Special Review Panel (SRP) for the Department who will independently examine previous investigations, to include but not limited to, findings of fact, sources, witnesses, and analyze the decision-making that led to one of America’s darkest and most destabilizing international moments,” Hegseth stated.

“This team will ensure ACCOUNTABILITY to the American people and the warfighters of our great Nation.”

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While public support for ending the war in Afghanistan had been widespread, the execution of the withdrawal drew bipartisan criticism.

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The Taliban rapidly regained control of the country amid the U.S. exit, despite intelligence reports warning of an imminent collapse of the Afghan government.

The rushed evacuation left thousands scrambling to flee the country, including American citizens and Afghan allies who had supported U.S. forces.

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The violence culminated on August 26, 2021, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near Abbey Gate at the Kabul airport, killing 13 U.S. troops and more than 170 Afghan civilians.

In the weeks following the attack, it was revealed that billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment had been left behind, including aircraft, weapons, and vehicles. Critics have long argued that the withdrawal was mismanaged and that those responsible have not been held accountable.

Despite ongoing scrutiny, no senior officials from the Biden-Harris administration have faced formal disciplinary action related to the operation.

The decision by Hegseth to open a formal review signals the Trump administration’s intent to reexamine the incident in detail.

The Special Review Panel is expected to begin its work immediately.

No timeline for completion has yet been announced.