Behind the Razor Wire: Military Photographs Capture Compassion Amid Chaos in Kabul

Tens of thousands of US and Afghan citizens have been evacuated from Kabul since the Taliban took over, but the flood of people into Hamid Karzai International Airport shows no signs of waning.

More than 58,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan since Aug. 14, with the US assisting more and more each day. About 21,600 people were flown out of the country in a 24-hour period ending in the early morning of Tuesday, Aug. 24, according to the White House, compared with about 16,000 people during the previous 24 hours.

While the situation outside the Kabul airport remains chaotic and dangerous, newly released photographs from military photographers show scenes of compassion behind the razor wire surrounding Kabul’s main route to safety.

Marines with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command provide assistance at an evacuation control checkpoint during the evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021. US Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Victor Mancilla.

A Marine with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command gives a high-five to a child during the evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 22, 2021. US service members are assisting the Department of State with the drawdown of designated personnel in Afghanistan. US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz.

A child smiles as she waits to board her flight during the evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 21, 2021. US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Samuel Ruiz.

There’s a backlog of thousands of people inside the airport waiting for their chances to board planes. White House officials said talks with the Taliban continued as the Biden administration looked for ways to move more American citizens and Afghans into the Kabul airport by the Aug. 31 deadline.

While lawmakers, veterans organizations, and refugee advocates have urged the president to continue the US military’s airlift for as long as it takes to evacuate Afghan allies and other at-risk citizens, the Taliban have said they wouldn’t agree to any extension, calling the end-of-August withdrawal date a “red line.”

Paratroopers with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, assist with evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Close to 6,000 US troops remain on the ground in Kabul, assisting with the airlift. Many photographs show service members handing out food and water to families and playing with children awaiting evacuation flights.

Paratroopers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, facilitate the safe evacuation of US citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and other at-risk Afghans from Afghanistan as quickly and safely as possible from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Aug 22, 2021. Photo courtesy of US Central Command Public Affairs.

The G-7 countries — the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan — are meeting Tuesday to try to form a plan for handling Afghanistan going forward. Leaders are expected to discuss the withdrawal deadline and whether they should recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s government.