The baby that made headlines for being passed to a soldier over a wall at the airport in Kabul has been reunited with its father, according to the US Army.
In the viral video, the baby can be seen being lifted up and handed to a US Marine during the refugee evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The baby’s family pleaded with the American army to give medical care to their child, so it was brought to a hospital before being reunited with its father, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said at a recent press briefing.
“I think this was a very humane act of compassion by the Marines,” he said.
The desperation – moment a baby is passed over to a US soldier at Kabul airport. Earlier today a child died at the airport. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/dtvSLBCTLH
— Yalda Hakim (@BBCYaldaHakim) August 20, 2021
The heartbreaking materials caused great unrest around the world, with people asking about the baby’s family and other families in their situation.
Marine Corps spokesman Major Jim Stenger told CBS News that the baby was “safe at the airport” in its home country.
He added:
“The baby seen in the video was taken to a medical treatment facility on-site and cared for by medical professionals”
“I can confirm the baby was reunited with their father and is safe at the airport”.
Stegner did not disclose any information about how many children had been taken to similar facilities for treatment since the Taliban takeover.
U.S. military service members comfort infants at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. #HKIA pic.twitter.com/8utbOwtcsF
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) August 20, 2021
A number of images showing Marines playing with children at military checkpoints and giving children water have been shared by the Department of Defense.
The Ministry of Defence made a tweet saying:
“Our Armed Forces continue to work tirelessly at Kabul Airport to ensure the safe evacuation of British nationals and Afghan civilians.”
.@USMC Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and @USNavy Corpsmen with @spmagtf_cr_cc provide fresh water to children at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. #HKIA pic.twitter.com/44Drj1I5rL
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) August 20, 2021
They added:
“The UK Armed Forces have safely evacuated nearly 4,000 people from Afghanistan since 13 August.”
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