{"id":18936,"date":"2021-08-16T20:07:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T20:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/08\/16\/satellite-photos-show-chaos-in-afghanistan-exit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:42:46","slug":"satellite-photos-show-chaos-in-afghanistan-exit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/08\/16\/satellite-photos-show-chaos-in-afghanistan-exit\/","title":{"rendered":"Satellite photos show chaos in Afghanistan exit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WASHINGTON \u2014 New satellite images show a chaotic scene Monday at Kabul\u2019s Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan as the United States government and its allies worked to withdraw remaining personnel from the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the capital falling under Taliban control on Sunday, Aug. 15, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/afghanistan\/2021\/08\/16\/americans-foreign-allies-trapped-in-afghanistan-frantic-for-evacuation-information\/\" target=\"_blank\">hundreds of people rushed to the airport<\/a> in hopes of securing a flight out of Afghanistan. Civilians flooded the tarmac, with some reports of deaths as individuals clung to aircraft during takeoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">New satellite images from commercial provider Maxar Technologies show crowds gathering at the airport at 10:36 a.m. local time on Aug. 16. According to the company, one image shows a Turkish airliner preparing to takeoff while security forces attempt to hold back crowds from the active tarmac, preventing them from blocking flight operations. Other images show traffic jams as people flee to the airport, as well as huge crowds gathered on and around the tarmac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow aligncenter\" data-effect=\"slide\"><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper\"><ul class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_swiper-wrapper swiper-wrapper\"><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9188\" height=\"5632\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2392\" data-id=\"2392\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg 9188w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=300,184 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=768,471 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,628 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,942 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/06_turkish-airliner-preparing-to-depart-and-crowds-at-airport-gate_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1255 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 9188px) 100vw, 9188px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A Turkish airliner preparing to depart from  Hamid Karzai International Airport as crowds gather. (Courtesy of Maxar Technologies)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9369\" height=\"5625\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2399\" data-id=\"2399\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg 9369w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=300,180 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=768,461 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,615 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,922 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/08_traffic-jam-and-crowds-near-kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1230 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 9369px) 100vw, 9369px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A satellite image shows a massive traffic jam as thousands of people head to Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to exit Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Maxar Technologies)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9232\" height=\"5663\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2407\" data-id=\"2407\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg 9232w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=300,184 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=768,471 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,628 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,942 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/04_crowds-of-people-and-security-near-runway_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1256 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 9232px) 100vw, 9232px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">A satellite image shows crowds of people and security forces gathered at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Maxar Technologies)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide swiper-slide\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"9063\" height=\"5632\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image wp-image-2413\" data-id=\"2413\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg 9063w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=300,186 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=768,477 768w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1024,636 1024w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=1536,955 1536w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/03_crowds-of-people-on-tarmac_kabul-airport_16aug2021_wv3.jpg.jpg?resize=2048,1273 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 9063px) 100vw, 9063px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption\">Satellite imagery shows crowds of people gathered on the tarmac at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan as thousands of people try to exit the country. (Courtesy of Maxar Technologies)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-prev swiper-button-prev swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-next swiper-button-next swiper-button-white\" role=\"button\"><\/a><a aria-label=\"Pause Slideshow\" class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause\" role=\"button\"><\/a><div class=\"wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-white\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagery company Planet also released two satellite images of the scene in Kabul taken 45 minutes apart, which show crowds arriving at the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pentagon acknowledged Monday afternoon that flights out of Kabul had been grounded, as the military worked to clear people from the airstrip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019ve certainly seen all the dramatic video coming from the airport today and we obviously don\u2019t want anyone else to get hurt,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/afghanistan\/2021\/08\/16\/kabul-flights-grounded-as-troops-work-to-remove-crowds-from-tarmac\/\" target=\"_blank\">Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters<\/a>. \u201cSo we\u2019re going to work methodically in coming hours to restore a safe and secure environment so that air operations can resume.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Planet&#39;s SkySat captured two images of the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan today, August 16th, at 8:26 and 9:11 UTC &#8211; just 45 minutes apart. The imagery gives a near real-time look into the deteriorating situation. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Qwa6GyZuM7\">pic.twitter.com\/Qwa6GyZuM7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Planet (@planet) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/planet\/status\/1427320881525706759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 16, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Satellite imagery from commercial providers shows crowds of people gathered on the tarmac at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan as thousands of people try to exit the country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":8,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[100,8,23,93,12,25],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3224],"class_list":["post-18936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-flashpoints","category-home","category-middle-column","category-news","category-newsletters"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"QGMX7JJT7ZEVVJ23Y4EG2KMCXE","arc_canonical_url":"\/intel-geoint\/2021\/08\/16\/satellite-photos-show-chaos-in-afghanistan-exit\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented 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