This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
On August 20, 2021, a harrowing scene unfolded at Kabul's airport as thousands of Afghans sought to flee the war-torn country following the Taliban's takeover. Amidst the chaos, a US Marine's act of compassion captured the world's attention.
A video showing the Marine lifting a baby over a razor wire-topped wall went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and admiration. The infant, whose diaper had slipped off, was being pulled up by one arm high above a crowd of desperate Afghans seeking to enter the airport.
According to Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, the Marines were asked to help the unidentified baby, who was reportedly sick. The Marine took the baby to a Norwegian hospital at the airport, where it received treatment before being returned to its father.
Kirby explained that the Marine's actions were an act of compassion, driven by concern for the baby's well-being. The incident highlighted the complexities and challenges of the evacuation efforts, where nearly 6,000 heavily armed US troops have taken control of the airport while the Taliban patrol the streets outside.
As the world watched the unfolding drama, US congressman and military veteran Peter Meijer took to Twitter to praise the images of US troops helping Afghan children. The official Pentagon images stood out amidst a stark lack of independently taken pictures from inside the airport, where thousands of people waited in difficult conditions to board US C-17 cargo aircraft bound for Qatar.
