Talibanistan

Kabul fell to the Taliban on August 15th, 2021. The capital was taken over after 20 years of American control and presence. The Afghan president Ashraf Ghani transferred and stepped down, handing over the government.
Suicide attacks followed on August 26th, killing 13 American soldiers and more than 100 civilians.

The withdrawal of American troops has taken a drastic toll on the people, especially those that are more vulnerable under Taliban, women and children.
This September marked the 20th anniversary of 9/11, one of the main causes of the two decade war in Afghanistan, the longest in US history

Mohammad Moslek and his children say goodbye to their relatives while standing in line for Departures’ control.
Mohammad Moslek?s children, standing in line for Departures’ control, look back at their relatives while crying.
Taliban patrol holding guns in Bagram air base on September 1, 2021. Bagram, the largest NATO air base in Afghanistan and the main headquarters of U.S. forces is now under Taliban control. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Taliban fighter standing outside the gates of Bagram detention center, Afghanistan. Bagram in Afghanistan, located near an airbase is said to be equivalent to Guantanamo, the infamous US detention center. An hour drive from Kabul located in the outskirts, Bagram airport was the operation center for the longest war in US history. The military base housed tens of thousands of soldiers, planes, helicopters and ammunition. The US forces left Bagram base and the detention facility overnight. Thousands of prisoners escaped without taking their belongings. Nearly 500 Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants were held in these detention facilities.
Former prisoners clothes, towels, blankets and personal belongings in Bagram detention center, Afghanistan. Bagram in Afghanistan, located near an airbase is said to be equivalent to Guantanamo, the infamous US detention center. An hour drive from Kabul located in the outskirts, Bagram airport was the operation center for the longest war in US history. The military base housed tens of thousands of soldiers, planes, helicopters and ammunition. The US forces left Bagram base and the detention facility overnight. Thousands of prisoners escaped without taking their belongings. Nearly 500 Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants were held in these detention facilities.
Taliban fighters praying in Bagram air base on September 1, 2021. Bagram, the largest NATO air base in Afghanistan and the main headquarters of U.S. forces is now under Taliban control. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.

Taliban patrol holding guns in Bagram air base on September 1, 2021. Bagram, the largest NATO air base in Afghanistan and the main headquarters of U.S. forces is now under Taliban control. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Taliban fighter punching a double end bag in Bagram detention center, Afghanistan. Bagram in Afghanistan, located near an airbase is said to be equivalent to Guantanamo, the infamous US detention center. An hour drive from Kabul located in the outskirts, Bagram airport was the operation center for the longest war in US history. The military base housed tens of thousands of soldiers, planes, helicopters and ammunition. The US forces left Bagram base and the detention facility overnight. Thousands of prisoners escaped without taking their belongings. Nearly 500 Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants were held in these detention facilities.
Men gathered to look at fireworks in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Secure interview room in Bagram detention center, Afghanistan. Bagram in Afghanistan, located near an airbase is said to be equivalent to Guantanamo, the infamous US detention center. An hour drive from Kabul located in the outskirts, Bagram airport was the operation center for the longest war in US history. The military base housed tens of thousands of soldiers, planes, helicopters and ammunition. The US forces left Bagram base and the detention facility overnight. Thousands of prisoners escaped without taking their belongings. Nearly 500 Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants were held in these detention facilities.
Picture of a former prisoner with his incarceration number in Bagram detention center, Afghanistan. Bagram in Afghanistan, located near an airbase is said to be equivalent to Guantanamo, the infamous US detention center. An hour drive from Kabul located in the outskirts, Bagram airport was the operation center for the longest war in US history. The military base housed tens of thousands of soldiers, planes, helicopters and ammunition. The US forces left Bagram base and the detention facility overnight. Thousands of prisoners escaped without taking their belongings. Nearly 500 Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants were held in these detention facilities.
An Anti-Mine Armoured Personel Carrier sits on a crossroads in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ever since the US and Nato troops withdrew from Afghanistan, many of the vehicles they left behind have fallen into the hands of the Taliban.
Stab vests from the British Embassy lie discarded on the street outside the Embassy in Kabul. The Taliban have emptied the embassy and left the furniture on the street outside to be collected and redistributed.
Hummers from the US army left behind. Bagram, the largest NATO air base in Afghanistan and the main headquarters of U.S. forces is now under Taliban control. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Taliban fighters in a pickup van holding the Taliban flag in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
The heavily polluted river water runs black through the centre of Kabul, Afghanistan. The country is experiencing its second drought in four years.

A displaced Afghan woman living in a shelter. She recently moved from Bamyan’s women shelter to Kabul to be safe from the Taliban.
Hands an Afghan woman who has lived in the shelter for years.
Interior view of a limited private room for the residences of the shelter. Each room has a small storage for personal items.
Women protestors holding roses and holding demonstration signs while attending the women’s rights demonstrations in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Young boy selling balloons on the street in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Hats sold by a street vendor in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Children sitting in a makeshift tent city in Kabul, Afghanistan. The fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban after the 20 years of US control in August 2021 is sparking concerns for Afghans and foreigners alike. Civilians especially women and children are facing life threatening factors like hunger, safety, human rights, education and humiliation. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality once again.
Three juice vendors stand in their store near to the market in the centre of Kabul as the sun sets over Afghanistan.
Ayoub Nahazat, 34, stands behind the desk of his pharmacy in the predominantly Hazara Shia district of Dasht e Barchi in Kabul, Afghanistan. He’s happy with the security situation under the new Taliban government.
An empty and abandoned office at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. The Taliban has banned music and since it has come to power the site of the music school has been commandeered by members of the Haqqanni Network, an Afghan guerrilla insurgent group linked to the Taliban.
An abandoned practice room at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music. The Taliban has banned music and since it has come to power the site of the music school has been commandeered by members of the Haqqanni Network, an Afghan guerrilla insurgent group linked to the Taliban.
Nila Enayatzada, 21, looks blankly out of the window of her family’s home in Kabul, Afghanistan. Since the Taliban barred girls of high school age from attending school, the aspiring doctor spends most of her days looking at old books alone inside and dreaming of being back in the classroom.
Members of the Taliban relax on a patch of grass between the roads next to the Embassy of Iran in Kabul, Afghanistan. Many of the Taliban are happy to pose for photos and ask for their pictures to be taken.
A Taliban fighter proudly shows off the newly appointed flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Members of the Taliban patrol the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan. Security has returned to the capital city ever since the Taliban took control a month ago.
Residents of Kabul enjoy the rides at the City Park theme park on the weekend in Kabul, Afghanistan. Security has returned to the streets of Kabul ever since the Taliban have taken control of the city.
A Taliban fighter guards the Embassy of Iran in Kabul, Afghanistan. The only embassies still functioning in Kabul are those of Iran, Russia, Pakistan and China.
An Afghan infant hospitalized in Herat, Afghanistan, due to the widespread malnourishment that is prevalent in the area. The United Nations estimates that nearly 24 million Afghans, roughly 60% of the country’s population, suffer from some form of hunger. Nearly 8.7 million of Afghanistan’s residents suffering from even more serious medical malnourishment.
Afghan women, wearing burkas, sit in a tight crowd while waiting to be given daily bread rations. They must wait in these crowds for six hours everyday just in order to be given any food.
Afghan males hand out bread rations to women in burkas, who wait for six hours in these crowds every day just to be given something to eat.
Mohammad Aref is from Mazar Sharif, Afghanistan. He recently migrated to Iran with his wife and 5 children. His wife has a heart condition, and one of his sons also suffers from a neurological disease making it an arduous journey. He doesn?t have any money to cover his family’s expenses. He wants to make his way to Tehran to find work so he can cover his family’s medical issues. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Migrants need to pass dangerous, inhabited and hard to cross mountainous areas by foot to make their way over the Iranian border and into Iran. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Afghan refugees, after having recently crossed the border into Iran, wait to be transported to their next destination. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Afghan refugees, after having recently crossed the border into Iran, wait to be transported to their next destination. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Afghan refugees cross the borders in pickup vans, each vehicle has 25-30 passengers. Drivers speed up to 200 mph to avoid local authorities and deportation. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Two young Afghan boys sleeping after crossing the border by foot through impassible mountain trails. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Most refugees suffer from PTSD. The psychological impact of displacement has brought some to self harm. Some migrants have cut themselves with razors, some burn themselves with cigarettes. The recent trauma along with decades of war and instability has taken a toll on Afghan civilians fleeing their country to find safety elsewhere. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Abdolmanan, 14 and of Turkmen origin, made it to Iran for the first time. The car bringing them was involved in a crash, with one killed and 6 wounded. The driver took him to a clinic with his family member working for treatment. After a quick visit he was released. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
The only meal for refugees is bread and yogurt, given once a day. If they need or want more food, it must be purchased. Most cannot afford it since the prices are extremely expensive. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
A Refugee couple posing for the camera. According to the husband they didn’t have any job security and their lives were in danger under the Taliban. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.
Wall graffitis in temporary shelter done by Afghan migrants. After crossing the border into Iran, the refugees wait for smugglers to take them to their next destination. After the fall of 11 provinces in Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 12th, 2021 a lot of civilians are fleeing, migrating and making their way into neighboring countries. The journey is difficult, life threatening along with other factors like hunger, safety and humiliation. Smugglers conduct the crossing into the Iranian border for the refugees. The journey is harsh and takes immigrants days crossing impassable areas and mountainous regions. The fear of instability and a new refugee crisis has turned into reality again in Afghanistan with a prolonged conflict of 150 years causing generations to be born into war.

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