The Human Cost Of The Afghanistan Evacuation: Remembering The Fallen

The evacuation of Afghanistan was one of the largest noncombatant evacuations in the history of the U.S. military. The evacuation was marred by a suicide bombing attack outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, which killed 13 U.S. service members and up to 170 civilians. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State, and it marked the deadliest day for American troops in a decade. The U.S. military evacuation concluded on August 30, 2021, bringing an end to the 20-year occupation of Afghanistan.

Thirteen US service members were killed in a Kabul attack

On August 26, 2021, the US military presence in Afghanistan suffered a devastating blow when a suicide bomb detonated outside Kabul airport, killing 13 US service members and wounding 15 others. This tragic event marked the deadliest day for American troops in a decade and dealt a significant setback to the ongoing evacuation efforts at the time.

The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State, adding to the complexity of the situation in Afghanistan. The US Central Command conducted an investigation into the incident, concluding that a single explosive device was responsible for the deaths of both US service members and Afghan civilians. The device was detonated near Abbey Gate, resulting in catastrophic injuries.

The 13 US service members who lost their lives in this attack were:

• Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, assigned to 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Naval Support Activity Bahrain.
• Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California, assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
• Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, MCB Camp Pendleton, California.
• Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, assigned to 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.
• Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee, assigned to 9th PSYOP Battalion, 8th PSYOP Group, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

The loss of these brave men and women sent shockwaves through the US military and the nation as a whole. The incident highlighted the dangers faced by those on the ground during the chaotic evacuation process and served as a somber reminder of the human cost of war.

ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attack

ISIS-K, an offshoot of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 13 U.S. service members and at least 170 Afghan civilians. The attack was carried out by a suicide bomber and caused the deadliest day for American troops in a decade.

ISIS-K, or Islamic State Khorasan Province, is an Islamic State affiliate that emerged in late 2014 to early 2015 in eastern Afghanistan. The group is considered one of the most active regional affiliates of the Islamic State and has a reputation for extreme brutality. ISIS-K's members are comprised of disaffected Taliban fighters and other Pakistani militant groups. They hold the view that members of the Taliban are impure and not extremist enough, and they seek to establish their own Islamic state with more radical ideals.

The attack on the Kabul airport was a significant blow to the U.S. evacuation efforts and highlighted the dangers faced by American troops and Afghan civilians during the chaotic withdrawal. ISIS-K has posed a direct threat to the Taliban's ability to govern Afghanistan and has carried out numerous attacks within the country, targeting civilian centers, including hospitals, universities, and schools.

The U.S. military had previously conducted airstrikes and operations to counter ISIS-K, but the group has proven resilient and continues to be a dangerous force. The attack on the Kabul airport brought attention to ISIS-K's global ambitions and their willingness to conduct high-profile civilian attacks.

The attack also killed over 170 civilians

The War in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on civilians, with countless lives lost and countless others forever altered. The conflict has not only resulted in direct casualties but has also indirectly contributed to the deaths of many Afghans. The war-induced breakdown of the economy, public health infrastructure, and security has left a lasting mark on the country and its people.

On August 26, 2021, a tragic incident occurred during the evacuation process at Kabul airport. A suicide bomber detonated an explosive device, killing 13 U.S. service members and over 150 Afghan civilians. The attack caused widespread grief and outrage, with President Biden vowing to hunt down the perpetrators. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, which marked a deadly day in the two-decade-long war.

The investigation into the attack revealed that a single explosive device with ball bearings was responsible for the high number of casualties. The device was detonated near Abbey Gate, causing catastrophic injuries that led to the deaths of both U.S. service members and Afghan civilians. The attack highlighted the dangers faced by those attempting to evacuate and the difficult decisions made by leaders on the ground.

The War in Afghanistan has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties, with estimates placing the number at over 70,000 since 2001. The U.S. military's rules of engagement and airstrikes have been criticized for contributing to a high number of civilian deaths. Additionally, the arming of Afghan militia groups by the CIA has led to serious human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings of civilians. The war has left indelible marks on the country, with unexploded ordnance and landmines continuing to pose a threat to Afghan lives, especially children.

The human cost of the war extends beyond those directly killed or injured. The conflict has exacerbated issues such as poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare and education. The mental health of Afghans has also been significantly impacted, with two-thirds of the population reported to be suffering from mental health problems. The reverberating effects of the war have touched almost every aspect of Afghan life, and the road to recovery will be long and challenging.

The US military death toll in the Afghan war since 2001 is roughly 2,500

The attack, which took place at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, was caused by a single explosive device that detonated in a crowded area. The device was reportedly carried by a suicide bomber and resulted in the deaths of at least 170 Afghan civilians, in addition to the US service members. The deaths of these US troops marked the deadliest day for American troops in Afghanistan in a decade and created a nightmare scenario for President Joe Biden, who was overseeing the evacuation efforts at the time.

The deceased US service members included eleven Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one soldier. Their names were released by the Department of Defense after the families of the deceased were notified. The individuals who lost their lives were between the ages of 20 and 31 and were posthumously awarded various honours, including the Purple Heart, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

The US Central Command officials initially believed that the attack was carried out by both a suicide bomber and an ISIS-K gunman. However, after a thorough investigation that included witness interviews and analysis of drone footage, they concluded that the explosion was caused by a single device. The investigation also revealed that the ball bearings projected by the device caused wounds that resembled gunshot wounds, leading to the initial confusion.

The US military evacuation from Afghanistan concluded in August 2021, bringing an end to the nearly 20-year-long mission that began shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks. The evacuation was the largest noncombatant evacuation in the history of the US military, with over 79,000 civilians being airlifted to safety.

The US evacuation ended its 20-year presence in Afghanistan

The US evacuation of Afghanistan culminated in a tragic end to its 20-year presence in the country. The evacuation, which began in August 2021, was one of the largest airlifts in history, with over 120,000 people evacuated to safety. The operation was carried out by the US military, diplomats, and intelligence professionals, who braved immense challenges to bring Americans, Afghan allies, and other vulnerable groups to safety.

The evacuation was precipitated by the swift collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's takeover of Kabul. The Taliban's rapid advance took many by surprise, and the US found itself in a race against time to get people out safely. Despite the challenges, the US was able to evacuate thousands of citizens, diplomats, and Afghan allies, including interpreters and journalists.

The evacuation was not without its costs. On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport killed 13 US service members and wounded 15 others. The attack, claimed by ISIS-K, also resulted in the deaths of over 170 Afghan civilians. This tragic incident highlighted the dangers faced by those carrying out the evacuation and the desperate situation on the ground.

The US military presence in Afghanistan lasted two decades and cost the lives of over 2,400 American service members and civilians. The war also resulted in tens of thousands of casualties among contractors, the Afghan military, and police. The conflict inflicted profound wounds on Afghanistan, with over 70,000 civilian deaths and millions affected by poverty, malnutrition, and a lack of access to healthcare.

The end of the US evacuation marked a turning point in Afghanistan's history, with the Taliban declaring victory and establishing control over the country. The US withdrawal sparked debates about the decision-making leading up to it and the future of American foreign policy. Despite the challenges and losses, the evacuation effort represented a massive undertaking and a testament to the dedication of those involved.

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