A former U.K. Royal Marine, who spearheaded a high-profile campaign for almost 200 rescued cats and dogs left in Afghanistan, has now returned safely — but not with his workers who were left behind in Kabul. In the United Kingdom, the campaign “Operation Ark“ has polarized the country and reached the highest levels of government.
After serving with British soldiers in Afghanistan for 15 years, Farthing founded the Nowzad charity. Nowzad asked supporters to push Ministers to assist the Nowzad crew in obtaining permission to fly on a rescue mission.
Pen Farthing stated on Twitter on Sunday, August 29, that he had arrived at Heathrow Airport following the “partial success” of his Operation Ark campaign, in which he and supporters attempted to arrange the evacuation of animals as well as employees and their families. Although there had been some criticism about prioritizing animals before people, the trip was approved. A chartered private jet carrying Pen Farthing landed at London’s Heathrow Airport on Sunday, ending a tale that divided Britain and highlighted challenging issues about the worth of human and animal life.
His crew is yet to come home, and he claims he feels “guilty” about leaving them behind. He has subsequently confirmed that he is still working for the workers and their families for evacuation.
Timeline for the Past Events
August 15
The Taliban marched to Kabul and took control of the capital. As part of the rescue operation campaign, celebrities urged Boris Johnson to assist the stuck Nowzad workers in Afghanistan: leading to the operational Ark Campaign.
August 23 to 25
Boris Johnson backs Operation Ark and guarantees that Nowzad employees get visas. Farthing documented his departure from Kabul Airport with his four-legged pals on social media. His followers also campaigned for British aid in the rescue Operation Ark. Nowzad supporters indicate that a privately chartered Airbus A330 was on standby to travel to Kabul and rescue the Nowzad employees and personnel, sponsored by donations.
Farthing received support from many celebrities. Others saw his efforts as a diversion from the United Kingdom’s mission to evacuate 15,000 Afghans and British civilians.
Farthing also left an expletive-filled note for a senior defense official, accusing him of “stopping” the evacuation and threatening to “spend the rest of my time… ruining you on social media,” according to the Sunday Times. Ben Wallace, the Minister of Defence, says he will make room for Farthing’s jet and that if he arrives without the animals, he may board an RAF plane and later tweeted.
August 26
U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Wallace stated that the government provided Farthing support and that military personnel were subjected to online harassment due to Operation Ark’s campaign. The authorities were preoccupied with the significant evacuation efforts, which prioritized people above animals. He also stated earlier that he would not put animals ahead of people “in actual danger.”
Taliban forces stopped the caravan of Nowzad people and livestock for 10 hours before reaching the airport. Nonetheless, he and his workers and their families were allowed safe passage out of the country. However, a flight from Luton Airport to Afghanistan to rescue personnel and animals from a charity got canceled due to safety concerns. A convoy with Farthing, this staff, and the animals were close to Kabul’s airport when a suicide bomber struck and killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. soldiers.
After days of unsuccessful attempts by the group to reach safety, the British military cleared the chartered flight.
August 29
Mr. Farthing and his animals were helped by the U.K. Armed Forces via Kabul airport, according to the MoD. Mr. Farthing and his animals departed Afghanistan on Saturday evening. On Saturday, the last British flight leaving Afghanistan landed. The U.K.’s 20-year military presence in Afghanistan came to an end on this day.
Because they did not make it to the front line at the airport, Nowzad employees could not board an aircraft to the United Kingdom. They were denied down by U.S. President Joe Biden, who had modified the documentation regulations just two hours before their arrival, according to Nowzad. Farthing mention that,
“Everyone was sobbing, sorrowful, and shocked. When the personnel from staff arrived and told me, ‘You have to go and get the animals out.’
He also apologized to the Defense Secretary, whom he accused of “obstructing” efforts to organize the flight. He went on to say, “Getting the animals out as part of the objective, but it wasn’t the entire mission. His crew then tweeted that they were safe but still in Afghanistan and that they couldn’t believe what had transpired the day before.
Where Are The Animal Now
All animals arrived in London in excellent health after being carried in a shipping container. The animals have been confined in quarantine kennels while suspected illnesses got investigated. Following their departure from Afghanistan, dozens of animals saved by former British Royal Marine Pen Farthing have found new homes at shelters throughout the U.K. According to photos posted on social media, staff at the Lozzas Lurcher Rescue Center in Hertfordshire, southern England, hailed the pups as their “precious cargo.”
Several animals have already got adopted, and the team has no trouble rehoming them because there are so many options. Five cats perished on the first part of the journey, according to Mr. Farthing. He said the cats perished as a result of the relocation’s stress.
According to Dominic Dyer, an animal welfare advocate and fan of Mr. Farthing, almost all 100 dogs and 70 cats aboard the plane were healthy and kept in cages.
