Exclusive

West 'closer to another 9/11' following Afghanistan pullout, ex MoD chief tells LBC

10 September 2021, 10:20 | Updated: 10 September 2021, 11:10

'We are back to an era that could be even worse than pre-9/11.'

By Joe Cook

The former chief of the UK defence staff has said we are closer to "another 9/11" in the wake of the US and UK's withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the resurgence of the Taliban.

Speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, General Lord Richards said the events had "dominated" his professional life.

"Once you've served in Afghanistan you feel very committed to it and to the people and to what we are trying to achieve.

But he added, looking back "it is ironic that President Biden evacuated American and other forces with the purpose of timing it with the 20th anniversary and yet as a result of that decision we are pitched back into an era that could be even worse than the 90s and 2000s that led to 9/11."

Read more: Donald Trump to spend 9/11 memorial day commentating on boxing match

Read more: 'Our patience is wearing thin': Biden announces vaccine requirements for 100m Americans

'The group of us said: This is going to change our lives.'

Despite the US and UK government suggestions that the West has been made safer due to the invasion of Afghanistan following the 9/11 attacks, Lord Richards said in his view "we are" now closer to another 9/11.

"We've now been pitched back into a dark period which we somehow have to manage," he warned.

"I fear the Taliban and some extremist jihadist groups are, whatever they like to say, in each other's pockets, scores will be settled, debts will have to be repaid and there will be ungoverned space opened up in Afghanistan which those groups will exploit and the ability of the Taliban to actually manage them will be minimal."

Read more: RAF hero pictured comforting baby: 'I’ll never forget harrowing Afghanistan evacuation'

9/11 terror attacks: 20 years on

The strong caution comes as the US prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the attacks which killed 2,996 people and led to a sea-change in world politics.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will visit three sites where hijacked flights came down: the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

The crash in Pennsylvania happened after the passengers of the hijacked jet fought back before it could reach its target, thought to be the US Capitol or the White House.

Mike Friedman tells LBC about the day he lost his father in 9/11

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump nominates Pam Bondi for attorney general hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws

Starmer has backed the International Criminal Court over its arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Netanyahu faces arrest if he travels to Britain as Starmer vows to enforce International Criminal Court warrant

Yvette Cooper has branded the Rwanda scheme a "complete con."

Yvette Cooper to crack down on anti-social behaviour with new 'respect orders' as repeat offenders face jail time

King Charles III And Queen Camilla on Coronation Day

King Charles' coronation cost taxpayer £72 million, report reveals

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City

Pep Guardiola signs two-year contract extension with Manchester City

Captain Tom's Daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore

Behaviour at Captain Tom charity left ex-boss 'gobsmacked'

Armed robbers attempted to break into the star's Sunderland home.

Masked machete-wielding robbers break into Charlotte Crosby's home while she is upstairs with two-year-old daughter

Police have released new CCTV of Harshita Brella and her husband

Chilling CCTV released of Harshita Brella and prime murder suspect husband on night she was killed

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark triumphant finale

First photos of Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special as James Corden and Ruth Jones mark show's triumphant finale

King Charles performs a Hongi, a traditional Maori greeting, with Mere Takoko

King Charles shares traditional Maori nose rub greeting with activist as he launches environmental charity

Putin issued a chilling threat to the West as he confirmed Russia launched a ballistic missile against Ukraine

Putin issues chilling warning to UK and US as he confirms Russia hit Ukraine with new 'experimental' ballistic missile

Telegraph writer Allison Pearson.

Police drop investigation into journalist Allison Pearson over tweet - as review to be launched over handling of case

Exclusive
Angela Rayner has paid tribute to John Prescott

Angela Rayner says John Prescott 'used to call her after PMQs to remind her to stay true to who she is'

Four men have been arrested accused of attempting to rob a mobile phone store

Undercover police arrest four men after EE shop raided by masked gang

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Matt Gaetz withdraws as Donald Trump's nominee for attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations

Donald Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Its Sixth Test Flight Of Starship Spacecraft

Elon Musk pledges to fire civil servants who work from home