‘My daughter will be taken by the Taliban’: the fears of those left behind in Afghanistan

The world has watched in horror as the Taliban, taking advantage of America’s withdrawal from the region, has seized power in Afghanistan. Western governments have been making emergency evacuations of their personnel while plans are in motion to open their doors to thousands of refugees fleeing the country.

But what of the citizens who can’t – or won’t – leave their family, homes and entire lives behind? Here, they share their stories...

‘We have heard of forced marriages, and we are afraid’

Massoumeh*, 23, humanitarian worker, Herat

Just weeks ago, I’d leave my house in Herat in the early morning, take a shared rickshaw to my office and spend my weekends catching up with friends, shopping or sharing a picnic together.

Today I barely venture outside. If I do, I am terrified. I cover my face and walk slowly. My manager put me and my colleagues on temporary leave this week, trying to figure out how to proceed long term and whether I, as a woman, can return to the office.

Most of my friends have fled to Turkey or Iran and I miss them. I am alone here now. At night I lie awake, my head spinning with uncertainty and fear. I am depressed, but mostly afraid.

The Taliban arrived quickly and my life has been turned upside down. I cried when they entered the city and hid at my uncle’s house with my family. The militants entered houses and searched them.

I need to leave because under the Taliban I see no future for me in Afghanistan. I never wanted to be a refugee but I have no choice.

I was the first girl in my family to attend university. We couldn’t afford books, but I always attended school. I left the house whenever I wanted to, and even travelled to other parts of the country. After university, I started working for international aid organisations and today my family depends on me financially.

Some local Taliban leaders have said in recent days that it’s not Islamic for men and women to share an office, and that women should not leave their homes without a male guardian. They also said we should cover our entire faces, including our eyes, and can only wear traditional clothes.

The other day, my neighbour went out with his three-year-old daughter, who was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. One of the Talibs told him to change the girl’s clothes next time or he would be beaten with a weapon.

We’ve heard reports of forced marriages and my single friends and I are afraid. Many families say they will introduce brothers and sisters to the Taliban as husband and wife, to make sure no young woman is taken away.

We’re now being governed by people I don’t consider humans. They are brutal and crazy. These men force us to give up our dreams and exchange them for life in our own prisons at home. But this isn’t life; this is a slow death.

I had so many dreams for my country. Under the Taliban, my generation is lost.

Watch: Local council volunteering to take in five Afghan families

‘I haven't been back to work at the hospital since the city fell’

Khaled*, 24, doctor, Kabul

I haven’t left my home for two days now. I’m scared to leave the house and return to work at my hospital, as I’ve been hearing different things: some of my friends say that they’ve heard the Taliban isn’t hurting anyone and that the soldiers are being friendly, but I’ve also heard rumours that the soldiers are searching houses and looking for people who worked for the government or international NGOs. I’m not sure which reports are true; there’s a lot of confusion.

The friends and colleagues I’ve spoken to are all at home right now, but the Taliban announced today that all doctors should return to their jobs from tomorrow. The Taliban gave their word that they wouldn’t harm those who do go back, but what’s their word worth? One colleague told me that when he went back, Taliban soldiers were taking people’s fingerprints on the way in: he got so scared that he returned home. Another said that men claiming to be the Taliban entered another one and looted it – they stole everything, including medical equipment and money. One doctor friend I spoke to is just trying to get his family out of the country.

Because the hospital is understaffed, I’m worried that some patients won’t be treated. There were innocent people at the hospital who needed treatment after the chaos at the airport though, thankfully, most were able to leave and some of the senior doctors returned.

I was in the car with my family on the way to the ministry to get digital ID cards when we received a call informing us that the Taliban had taken over. It was so scary; there was chaos all around us, people were running around carrying bags, travelling towards the airport and the embassies. My mother and sisters were terrified, because they didn’t even have hijabs with them. They both have jobs – my sister worked with an international NGO and my mother is a school principal – and they’ve been crying for two days now. It looks like they’ll have to stop working; they lost everything in a day and it’s difficult to digest.

Our whole family is living together, including my uncles and aunts, and we are all so scared we keep the curtains permanently closed. During my childhood there were suicide bombings and explosions, but now things have gone from bad to worse. My mother used to tell us stories about the Taliban, about how they’d torture people and stone women to death. She’s terrified that they’re back as she thinks these things will happen again. I just hope I can return to work safely and treat as many patients as I can.

As told to Claudia Rowan

Watch: Hundreds crowd airport barriers amid sporadic gunfire

‘If the Taliban come to our house, she will be killed’

Rahim*, 38, translator, Kabul

I used to work with an American company in Kabul where I live with my wife and daughter. Since Sunday we have had my cousin and his family with us: his wife was a soldier and we are scared for her safety. The Taliban are already conducting house searches looking for anyone who has worked with foreigners or the government, which puts us both in danger. In fact, anyone who is enlightened is at risk. If they come to our house and find her they will kill her. Yesterday, she burned her uniform and documents from her job in the military.

My daughter is 15 and without a doubt she will be taken too if the Taliban come here. We have spoken to friends and relatives around the country and know that young girls over the age of 12 are being forced into marriage. If they are doing this in the provinces, it is only a matter of time before they do this here in Kabul.

The situation outside is dark, terrifying and completely confusing. The Taliban leaders said we are allowed to work as before and are allowed to leave Afghanistan if we want to, but I don’t believe them. They are just saying these things to appeal to the international community. In time they will become just like they used to be.

Last night one of my cousins who was also a female soldier went to the airport to appeal to the foreign soldiers to get her out of Afghanistan. Outside the airport the Taliban were shouting abuse at all the women. They are not the progressive people they are pretending to be. They are dangerous, ignorant people and the foot soldiers do not follow their leaders. In fact, they will do the opposite of what they are told because they are so illiterate.

There is no electricity during the day now and the internet is very weak. By day the streets are deserted. No one wants to leave their homes unless they have to. My wife and daughter haven’t been outside since Sunday. I won’t let them; It is too dangerous.

I beg the international community to look after our young girls and the women who have served our government forces. They really need protection and will be executed if found. These wild people who have taken over the country are promising things they won’t ever deliver.

We are just waiting for the Taliban to come to our house now. Every knock on the door makes us jump but we cannot do anything. We feel that right now we are prisoners in our homes. There is no way to leave Afghanistan.

As told to Lalage Snow

* Some names have been changed