An Afghan national is standing trial in federal court in Virginia on charges related to the 2021 suicide bombing at Kabul airport that killed more than 180 people during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The defendant is accused of playing a key role in the Islamic State attack that occurred during the chaotic final days of the American evacuation from Afghanistan. The bombing targeted crowds of people attempting to flee the country as the Taliban regained control.

The trial began Monday, with the defendant's attorney arguing that his client gave a false confession. The defense is challenging the validity of statements made by the accused in the case.

The August 2021 attack was one of the deadliest incidents during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, killing both Afghan civilians and American service members. The bombing occurred outside the airport's Abbey Gate as thousands of people sought to evacuate.

The case represents one of the first major prosecutions related to the Kabul airport attack. Federal prosecutors are seeking to hold the defendant accountable for his alleged connection to the Islamic State operation that carried out the suicide bombing.