Marines in Kabul Forced to Clean Up Amidst Tragedy
US Marines in Kabul were ordered to clean up human feces and trash at the Hamid Karzai International Airport after losing 13 comrades to a suicide bomber. The soldiers, including their battalion commander, were left furious and humiliated by the decision, which they viewed as a disrespectful final task following the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. The area they were ordered to clean had previously been occupied by Afghan refugees, resulting in piles of trash and unsanitary conditions. Despite their efforts, the remaining Marines left the country shortly after midnight on August 29, preparing for the Taliban's arrival. General Frank McKenzie, who oversaw the withdrawal, now believes the decision to leave Afghanistan was a fatal flaw and regrets not evacuating embassy personnel and at-risk individuals earlier.