Marine Gunman Shares Horrific Details of the Afghanistan Withdrawal

Published on July 28, 2023
Duration: 6:02

Marine Scout Sniper Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews recounts harrowing details of the Afghanistan withdrawal, highlighting critical failures in leadership and adherence to Rules of Engagement (ROE). He describes witnessing atrocities via drone and the chaotic conditions at Kabul Airport, emphasizing the disregard for ground-level intelligence and the tragic consequences at Abbey Gate. The account underscores the immense pressure and difficult ethical decisions faced by troops during the withdrawal.

Quick Summary

Marine Scout Sniper Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews detailed the catastrophic failures during the Afghanistan withdrawal, including strict Rules of Engagement that prevented troops from firing even when witnessing civilian executions by the Taliban. Critical intelligence regarding a suicide bomber was ignored, leading to the Abbey Gate bombing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Government Duty and Accountability
  2. 00:20Strict Rules of Engagement
  3. 01:14Arrival at Kabul Airport
  4. 01:53Honoring the Fallen
  5. 02:21Witnessing Atrocities via Drone
  6. 02:50Sgt. Vargas-Andrews Background
  7. 03:21Taliban Crowd Control Allegations
  8. 03:37Initial Deployment to HKIA
  9. 04:10Chaos at Abbey Gate
  10. 04:40Disregarded Intelligence Warning
  11. 05:21Identifying the Fallen

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the strict Rules of Engagement (ROE) during the Afghanistan withdrawal?

During the Afghanistan withdrawal, troops were reportedly under strict ROE that mandated they could not fire unless fired upon. This policy was in effect even when soldiers witnessed the Taliban executing civilians outside the airport gates.

What critical intelligence was disregarded during the Kabul airport evacuation?

A sniper team identified a suspected suicide bomber matching intelligence descriptions and requested permission to engage. However, their request was denied by leadership, and their expertise was ignored, tragically leading to the Abbey Gate bombing.

What role did the Taliban allegedly play in crowd control at Kabul Airport?

Sgt. Vargas-Andrews claimed that U.S. leadership invited the Taliban to assist with crowd control at the airport gates. This decision reportedly shocked the ground forces who were tasked with managing the volatile situation.

What kind of equipment was used by the sniper team during the withdrawal?

The sniper team, including Sgt. Vargas-Andrews, was equipped with tactical gear such as plate carriers, helmets, and night vision goggles (PVS-31 NVG). Sniper rifles like the M110 SASS with Leupold optics were also utilized.

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