It’s a sad state of affairs when you feel forced to flee your own country, but that’s exactly what some Afghans are experiencing now.
On Sunday (15 Aug), the Taliban declared that it had assumed control of the country and ended a 20-year war with the Afghan government and US troops.
With US soldiers returning home and their own president escaping the country, some citizens and residents felt they have no choice but to flee the country as well or be ruled under the austere regime of the Taliban.
And some are so desperate that they were willing to risk their lives to leave.
At Least 2 People Fell to Death After Fleeing Afghans Cling to Moving US Plane That’s Leaving the Country
With hordes of Afghans dashing to airports to board the few flights available, getting a seat on a plane out of the country was always going to be a tough task.
That’s why some people felt compelled to climb onto the planes and hang on for dear life as they took off.
In one video which has been shared over 5,000 times on Twitter, at least two people can be seen falling from a moving U.S military plane after it took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport, located in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.
Exclusive- A clear video (from other angle) of men falling from C-17. They were Clinging to some parts of the plane that took off from Kabul airport today. #Talibans #Afghanistan #Afghanishtan pic.twitter.com/CMNW5ngqrK
— Aśvaka – آسواکا News Agency (@AsvakaNews) August 16, 2021
Another video shows a mass of people running alongside a US military plane about to take off, with some clinging to its side.
Insane. Don’t have any other words.
The Kabul Airport.
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) August 16, 2021
The terminal building at Kabul Airport is in a state of utter chaos, as it’s been flooded with people desperate to leave their own country, many of them carrying young children.
Another Saigon moment: chaotic scenes at Kabul International Airport. No security. None. pic.twitter.com/6BuXqBTHWk
— Saad Mohseni (@saadmohseni) August 15, 2021
Kabul Airport this morning
Too many people, too few planes pic.twitter.com/rReyvBG5Lc
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) August 16, 2021
The Taliban assured residents that no harm will befall them, so why are they so fearful of living under its regime?
Oppressive Regime Which Strips Women of their Rights
The Taliban’s objective for Afghanistan, according to Sky News, is to restore Sharia, or Islamic law, in the country.
Back when they ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, before the US ousted them from power, women were not allowed to work and had to cover their faces and be accompanied by a male relative if they wanted to leave their homes.
Those who flouted these rules were flogged in public or even executed.
They’ve also reportedly imposed restrictions on journalists and NGO workers.
After the Taliban was ousted, women started returning to the public eye, re-entering educational institutions, returning to work, and become Members of Parliament.
So now, returning to life under an oppressive regime where women had essentially zero rights was inconceivable for many.
The Taliban said they would create laws to ensure women would be able to participate in public life under their rule, but female residents in the country are fearful.
Taliban Controlling Crowds Outside Airport
Yesterday, the US said that it had secured the airport. Meanwhile, the Taliban is attempting to control the throng of residents rushing to the airport.
Including the two who fell from the plane, seven have reportedly died at the airport so far.
US troops also killed two people who were “menacingly” brandishing weapons at the airport.
Read Also:
- 10 Facts About the Sudden Takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban That Could Mean the End of a 20-Year War
- Biden Broke Silence on Afghanistan War, Said He Stood By His Decision
Featured Image: Twitter (@ragipsoylu)