White House Shooting Suspect Was Former CIA Worker in Afghanistan
American news sources have revealed that the suspect involved in the recent shooting near the White House had previously collaborated with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Afghanistan.
Fox News reported on Thursday, November 26, that Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old resident of Khost province, had cooperated with U.S. security forces in Kandahar before arriving in the United States under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program. He had also been in contact with CIA agents during this time.
According to the report, Lakanwal entered the U.S. one month after the collapse of the former Afghan republic and was transferred to American soil in 2021 through the program established to relocate Afghan allies who had worked with U.S. forces.
Senior U.S. intelligence officials told Fox News that the motive behind the shooting is currently being investigated as a potential act of international terrorism. The attack resulted in injuries to two members of the West Virginia National Guard, who remain in critical condition.
Following the incident, U.S. immigration authorities have temporarily halted processing asylum applications from Afghan nationals — a move that could affect thousands of applicants and raise concerns about discriminatory treatment toward Afghan refugees.
The Taliban’s oppressive policies have driven thousands of Afghans to flee the country, but the resettlement process overseas now faces serious challenges. This situation has prompted serious questions about the international community’s responsibility toward Afghan refugees and the consequences of the rapid U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
