Utahns in Congress, governor react to explosions, 13 US deaths in Afghanistan
Aug 26, 2021, 2:32 PM | Updated: 5:35 pm
Smoke rises from a deadly explosion outside the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021. Two suicide bombers and gunmen have targeted crowds massing near the Kabul airport, in the waning days of a massive airlift that has drawn thousands of people seeking to flee the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)
(AP Photo/Wali Sabawoon)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s congressional delegation responded to explosions and deaths of 13 US service members near the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, with concern for their families and with questions about the conditions and progress of the US plan to leave Afghanistan after 20 years of war.
The Pentagon confirmed the attack and 12 deaths of US service members.
Statement on this morning’s attack at #HKIA: pic.twitter.com/Qb1DIAJQJU
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah
Rep. Chris Stewart, a former Air Force pilot and a member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said the airport in Kabul must be secured, that all Americans and allies must be safely evacuated, and that these tasks must be done “by any means necessary.”
There is no excuse for the incompetence displayed by the Biden administration throughout this disastrous withdrawal.
We need to secure the airport, maintain a perimeter and safely evacuate all Americans and our allies – and we need to do so by any means necessary.
— Rep. Chris Stewart (@RepChrisStewart) August 26, 2021
Sen. Mitt Romney
Sen. Mitt Romney, who sits on the Committee on Foreign Relations as well as the Committee on Homeland Security, focused mostly on the loss of US service members and innocent Afghans in his comments after the deadly blast Thursday. In recent days, Sen. Romney has been critical of the US plan to evacuate from Afghanistan, calling the Biden administration’s efforts “messy.”
Horrific terrorist attacks outside Kabul airport. My heart breaks for the U.S. service members wounded in the explosion and the innocent Afghan lives lost. I am inspired by the strength and compassion of our troops and pray for their safety.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) August 26, 2021
They represented the very best and finest of America, laying down their lives to aid the most vulnerable in perilous circumstances. This loss of life tears at our collective soul. God bless our fallen & wounded Marines, their families and all of our service members in harm’s way.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) August 26, 2021
Sen. Mike Lee
After the blast at the airport in Kabul, Utah Sen. Mike Lee focused on the military members who had been killed and wounded. He praised them, along with US allies in Afghanistan, for helping the United States in a “fight against evil.” In recent days Lee has criticized President Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it a “historic failure.”
My prayers are with those killed and wounded in action today, their families and their teammates still on the ground. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. It is our duty to protect those Americans still in Afghanistan and those who have helped us in this fight against evil.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) August 26, 2021
/2 They are the incarnation of the words, America the Beautiful, “Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life!”
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) August 26, 2021
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox
Related reading:
-
Biden says he stands ‘squarely behind’ Afghanistan decision
-
Stewart: Afghanistan withdrawal is right policy, wrong execution
-
ISIS-K in Afghanistan has worldwide goals, is more dangerous than Taliban
-
Widow of Utahn: “I have faith in the good people of Afghanistan”
