My escape from Afghanistan on a US military plane: 'It was total chaos'

Hundreds of people on the runway, women and children screaming, and gunshots lighting up the sky: Afghan journalist Ramin Rahman spoke to the Guardian about his chaotic escape from Hamid Karzai international airport the day the Taliban took Kabul.

Rahman, 27, left Kabul fearing for his life. As 'a progressive, outspoken journalist with tattoos' – he is basically the antithesis of what the Taliban stand for.

He described several hours of uncertainty and panic, running with hundreds of others towards US aircrafts, and the agonising wait before the plane took off from Afghanistan

[petuniapop]

To the people asking why he left his parents, i think he was fleeing because as a journalist he was particularly vulnerable. I doubt elderly parents would have been able to make it through that experience. I would rather my kid escape without me.

[shawnganske]

Where is the women and children who escaped? That photoage of the plane taking off with a horde of men chasing it with the frailer humans left behind.

[dameanic]

there's way more middle aged men then woman and children on that plan smh 🤦‍♂️

[county]

Thought that the major concern was for woman and children however there’s not much evidence of this as photos are of men, no woman or children’s ...

[okty_r_wells]

I proud of Afganistan’s women who are fighting for their country in Afghanistan

[greatone]

Pick up a weapon and fight for your country instead of running away looking for others to fight on your behalf. Freedom do not come free and America has paid for our freedom with bloodshed since our founding, time for you to step up and do the same for your county and family.

[jac]

When the women stay to fight the fully grown men run for the hills 😂😂😂

[bradleyallen]

HE LEFT THE F***ING CATS?!?!?

Suit up boys, we got a flight to catch.

[kaalkivasudevannair]

How can u be lucky, when u left ur parents there ..

[techlife]

I wonder what these men are thinking and feeling while on a flight to another country knowing what's gonna happen to their Mothers, sisters, daughters, etc... Dam.. I couldn't do it. I'd die for mine

[BeyondAverageSkilled]

theres no battlefield, its just taliban with guns

[alexeygusev]

left his family and escaped, and now wants to see his wife. Doesn't know what to do. Noone around to take care of this adolescent poor boy.

[braylens]

Dang he could have atleast let the cats out

[everydayrubbish]

HE LEFT HIS PARENTS IN KABUL AND GOT ON A PLANE, WHAT A HERO 👏

[JustAnotherBlader]

I have visited the Middle East numerous times. One thing that struck me was that the culture has no concept of waiting in lines, even normal days. Even if it’s for a simple queue, it is every person for themselves. And in Bangladesh they’ll scale trains and ride right on top just on a normal day.

[abuhurairah]

The truth is, you using this event just to gain the main goal US or EU entrance. Many many people do it these days. Don't lie. Learn to tell the truth.

[Echomackay]

why don’t you head to the Panjshir and fight for your country like those brave guys are, so sick of seeing these cowards.

[fahhhque]

"We don't know what to do, we served as an ally for the US for years"

FIGHT FOR YOUR OWN COUNTRY

[hyperabbit]

there is like 1 women for every 40 men on that plane, I thought women and children were most at risk ?

[GRA.L]

Sat on the biggest target in the area for an hour must have been the longest hour... my heart goes out to every person struggling to get out and to all of the people who won't ever find a way.