Taliban fighters attack crowds with firearms, whips, and sticks

Despite thisTaliban’s promise to ensure safe passage to Kabul airport for civilians being evacuated, violence is being used against civilians near the airport.

Taliban fighters keep fleeing Afghans’ under control’ with firearms, whips, and sticks. Several people, including at least a woman and a child, were injured.

Marcus Yam, a photojournalist for the Los Angeles Times, shot harrowing images yesterday near the international airport in Kabul, where many Afghans have flocked to try to flee the Taliban.

The photographer saw Taliban fighters violently trying to control the crowd with deadly weapons, such as firearms, as well as whips, sticks, and sharp objects. “The violence was random. It seemed like they were doing what they wanted,” Yam told CNN. “I even saw a Taliban fighter shoot at the crowd laughing, as if it were a game.”

Several people were injured, according to the photographer. “It was shocking to watch,” he says. His photos show a man holding an injured child. The boy has a head injury and is bleeding profusely. An injured woman lies on the floor, and bystanders, including children, are in a panic.

Attention, these photos contains hard images: 1 2 3 [©Marcus Yam]