As the Kabul airport evacuation unfolds amid the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, heartbreaking scenes of civilians risking their lives to flee the country have shocked the world. With the U.S. withdrawal nearly complete, thousands of Afghans who worked alongside NATO forces or fear retaliation under Taliban rule are making desperate attempts to leave.
Refugee transport planes are filled to capacity, and many who lack secure options are resorting to extreme and dangerous measures. Among the most haunting images to emerge is footage showing a crowd surrounding a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster as it taxied down the runway at Hamid Karzai International Airport. People were seen clinging to the aircraft’s sides and running dangerously close to its wheels.
Some of those in the crowd appeared to be driven by the chaotic spectacle, with visible smiles and shouting. However, others were visibly frantic, hoping to secure a spot aboard the departing aircraft, which was part of an evacuation operation conducted by Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The Kabul airport evacuation has highlighted the complete breakdown of order at the site, raising critical questions about the security situation. The New York Times reported that during the early evacuation flights, several people were tragically killed—either crushed by the aircraft’s wheels or falling from the plane after takeoff.
A viral Twitter video captured the disturbing moment when the massive C-17 attempted to take off amid the chaos. Dozens clung to the fuselage, while others ran alongside it, ignoring the life-threatening risk involved.
U.S. Air Force officials addressed the events during a press briefing, confirming that a breach occurred on the civilian side of the airport. The breach enabled hundreds of desperate civilians to flood the runway, preventing safe aircraft operations. In response, U.S. Marines temporarily shut down flights to secure the airfield and remove civilians from the tarmac.
Flights in and out of the airport were suspended as efforts intensified to regain control. A coordinated effort involving U.S. and international troops is currently underway to clear the runways and secure safe passage for further evacuations.
In response to the crisis, the U.S. Department of Defense has committed to deploying an additional 6,000 troops to Kabul on a temporary basis. Their mission is to assist with the evacuation of up to 22,000 Afghans eligible for special U.S. immigrant visas, many of whom have supported coalition operations over the past two decades.
The C-17 aircraft involved in Sunday’s incident belongs to the 62nd Airlift Wing, 446th of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. This particular aircraft has a history of humanitarian missions, including operations in Afghanistan and domestic efforts such as Hurricane Katrina relief.
U.S. Central Command has not released specific details about the Kabul C-17 mission, citing the need to maintain operational security during the ongoing evacuation efforts.
The tragic scenes emerging from Kabul’s airport reflect the desperation of a nation in crisis. With Taliban forces reestablishing control, the international community watches closely as Afghan civilians struggle to escape a rapidly changing political and security landscape.
Photo Credit: Twitter