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21st August 2021
11:24am BST
Credit: US Central Command Public Affairs[/caption]
The Marine Corps' Major Jim Stenger has confirmed that the baby is now 'safe' and has been reunited with their father.
In a statement to NBC News, Stenger said: "I can confirm the uniformed service member depicted in the video is a Marine with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
"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.
"This is a true example of the professionalism of the Marines on site, who are making quick decisions in a dynamic situation in support of evacuation operations."
https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1428692291099762688
In a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the baby wasn't being passed over to Marines to board a flight. Instead, the child was only handed over to the Marines to receive medical treatment in a 'humane act of compassion'.
Stenger continued: "The parent asked the Marines to look after the baby because the baby was ill. The Marine you see reaching over the wall, took it to a Norwegian hospital at the airport. They treated the child and returned the child to the father.
"The baby was returned to its father. I don't know where they are now. Obviously, we have a responsibility to return a child to the parent. I don't know who the parent is, if they're an SIV applicant. It was a humane act of compassion by the Marines."
