A group of male refugees from Afghanistan have been accused of assaulting a female military service member at Fort Bliss, New Mexico, where they were being temporarily housed after being evacuated from their home country last month amid the Taliban takeover.
Officials confirmed in a statement that the service member reported that she’d been attacked by a “small group” of evacuees on September 19.
“We take the allegation seriously and appropriately referred the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” the officials said, according to The Washington Examiner. “The safety and well-being of our service members, as well as all of those on our installations, is paramount. We immediately provided appropriate care, counseling and support to the service member.”
The officials also stated that further measures will be taken to ensure the safety of military members, including more lights and implementing the buddy system.
“We will cooperate fully with the FBI and will continue to ensure the service member reporting this assault is fully supported,” the statement noted.
Fort Bliss is a large complex that is spread across the border of New Mexico and Texas. The El Paso FBI is now investigating the case.
New Mexico Rep. Yvette Herrell (R) offered prayers for the alleged victim of the incident, which she derided as “another tragic failure in the vetting process for Afghan nationals brought to America, some of whom have proven to be rapists, criminals, and traffickers. The American people deserve answers.”
My prayers are with the courageous soldier and her family. This is yet another tragic failure in the vetting process for Afghan nationals. The American people deserve answers.https://t.co/UB8ehTjCwO
— Rep. Yvette Herrell (@RepHerrell) September 24, 2021
Last week, two Afghan evacuees were charged with attempted child sexual assault and spousal abuse, respectively, while being housed at Wisconsin’s Fort McCoy.
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