Today, we’re diving into a situation that has sparked quite a bit of controversy and discussion—specifically regarding some poignant and powerful images that have recently been removed from public view.
These were not just any photos; they captured a “ramp ceremony” where American troops honored the 13 service members who tragically lost their lives during the August 26, 2021, suicide bombing outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. This event marked a somber moment in the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Now, what’s really caught attention is that at least half a dozen of these photos, which had been publicly available, have been taken down from a military database known as the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, or DVIDS. This platform is where military personnel regularly share images and videos of their daily work, training, and significant ceremonies. But these particular images, which had been widely circulated by major news outlets like The Guardian, Reuters, and The Washington Post, were suddenly pulled.
We knew Abbey Gate was going to happen before it happened. The amount of evidence is overwhelming and goes well beyond this smoking gun video of boots on the ground communicating about it. Never forget. https://t.co/So2vMsKN3J
— Shoe (@samosaur) August 26, 2024
Why, you might ask? According to a U.S. official, the removal was due to a “miscommunication” between the Defense Department’s mortuary affairs and the public affairs officer who was on the ground at the time. Apparently, the photos were meant for the families of the fallen service members, not for public consumption, and so they were removed in accordance with existing Defense Department instructions. However, the timing and circumstances of this "miscommunication" remain unclear, leaving many to wonder about the real reasons behind the removal.
These photos were more than just snapshots—they were a tribute. One powerful image showed Marines solemnly carrying a transfer case, draped in the American flag, with one Marine bowing his head in respect. Another moving picture captured two Marines supporting each other during the ceremony, a quiet moment of solidarity in the midst of profound grief.
Despite the photos being pulled from the DVIDS database, they’re still out there on platforms like Facebook and Wikipedia. But their removal from the official archive, especially around the third anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack, has raised eyebrows.
This isn’t the first time content related to Afghanistan has been scrubbed from DVIDS. Back in November 2021, the Pentagon removed over 120,000 images and 17,000 videos to protect Afghan allies who were at risk from the Taliban. The danger was real, with reports from the United Nations detailing hundreds of retaliatory attacks against former Afghan government members and security forces by the Taliban.
Adding to this backdrop, former President Donald Trump recently spoke out, calling for the resignation of all senior officials involved in the Afghanistan withdrawal. In a speech to the National Guard Association, Trump criticized the Biden administration for what he termed a "humiliation" in Afghanistan, which he believes tarnished America's global standing.