Lingering Trauma Four Years Later: Kabul Plane Tragedy's Irreversible Impact on Families
In August 2021, the world watched as Kabul, Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban. Amidst the chaos, thousands of people sought to flee the country, leading to a massive evacuation effort by NATO countries. This article will focus on two significant incidents that occurred during this evacuation period: the tragic deaths of individuals who fell from departing planes and the devastating ISIS suicide bombing attack at the airport.
Several individuals lost their lives while trying to cling to departing planes during the evacuation. Although the exact number of casualties remains unspecified, cases such as Shafiullah and Fida Mohammad Amir, who met their end this way, were highly publicized. Shafiullah, an 18-year-old with dreams of becoming a doctor, left his home with only a small amount of money, hoping to flee with the departing Americans. Tragically, he was one of the individuals who fell from a plane during takeoff.
Another heart-wrenching story is that of Zaki Anwari, a 17-year-old promising football player who went to the airport out of curiosity but decided to take his chances when he saw the crowd. Unfortunately, Zaki was crushed by the plane on the tarmac during the evacuation.
The U.S. military later cleared the airplane crews of wrongdoing, stating that the crews decided to depart the airfield quickly due to a deteriorating security situation and the presence of hundreds of Afghan civilians who had breached the airport perimeter.
A darker shadow was cast over the evacuation period when, on August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing attack by ISIS at the airport resulted in the death of over 170 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. troops. Another source mentions the deaths of at least 12 U.S. service members in the bombings, primarily Marines and a Navy medic.
The families of those who died during the evacuation have expressed their grief and frustration at the lack of accountability and support. Zar Bibi Hotak, the mother of Shafiullah, has yet to receive any contact from any government or organization regarding her son's death.
The chaotic evacuation period left a lasting impact on the people of Afghanistan. Thousands of others left the country in the following months, while thousands more were left behind, their fates unknown. As we reflect on these events, it is essential to remember the individuals who lost their lives during this tumultuous time and to strive for a more peaceful future.
General news outlets continued to report on war-and-conflicts, politics, and crime-and-justice during the chaotic evacuation period in Afghanistan. The tragic accidents that occurred during the evacuation, such as individuals falling from departing planes and the ISIS suicide bombing attack at the airport, underscored the urgency for improved safety measures and accountability.
