FBI director fears Afghanistan could be 'safe haven' for terror groups

FBI Director Christopher Wray said Wednesday that law enforcement officials are concerned Afghanistan could once again serve as a staging ground for terrorist groups following a chaotic U.S. withdrawal from the country.

"We are, of course, concerned that there will be an opportunity for a safe haven to be re-created there, which is certainly something we’ve seen in the past, and allow a foreign terrorist organization to operate more freely in the region," Wray said during the hearing.

The Biden administration has faced bipartisan scrutiny in recent weeks over its handling of the withdrawal operation as well as the Taliban’s stunning takeover of Afghanistan from U.S.-backed Afghan security forces. Criticism intensified after ISIS-K militants carried out suicide bombings that killed 13 U.S. service members just days before the withdrawal was complete.

"We’re concerned that ISIS-K can take advantage of a significantly weakened security environment to operate more freely," Wray added. "We’re also concerned that the events there can serve as a catalyst or an inspiration for terrorists, whether they be members of [foreign terrorist organizations] or homegrown violent extremists, to conduct attacks."