The jury is now deliberating in the trial of an alleged Islamic State militant charged in connection with the deadly suicide bombing at Kabul's airport during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The attack killed 13 American service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians.
Mohammad Sharifullah, 45, faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors allege he helped plan the bombing and facilitated the attacker's access to the airport perimeter.
During the trial, which began on April 20, 2026, in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, prosecutors presented evidence including intercepted communications and witness testimony linking Sharifullah to the plot. Defense attorneys argued that their client was coerced and not directly involved in the attack.
In his closing argument, Justice Department prosecutor John Gibbs told the jury that Sharifullah was a key operative who enabled the bombing. Defense lawyer Geremy Kamens countered that the government's case relied on unreliable informants.
The jury began deliberations on Tuesday afternoon. Judge Anthony John Trenga instructed the jury to consider the evidence carefully. The trial is expected to conclude this week.
The bombing occurred on August 26, 2021, as thousands of Afghans and foreigners attempted to flee the country after the Taliban seized Kabul. The attack was one of the deadliest against U.S. forces in over a decade.
