“I woke to gunshots in the night”: Fleeing Afghanistan | ticker VIEWS

The Taliban is showcasing its dominance in Afghanistan again. Photojournalist Massoud Hossaini reveals what it was like to leave his entire life behind

Massoud Hossaini has lived his entire life in Afghanistan. Now, he has left everything behind including belongings, family, and friends at a moment’s notice. This act of desperation came from pure fear and recollection of the Taliban.

Kabul falls to Taliban

Massoud is a photojournalist and knew that the Taliban was resuming power in parts of Afghanistan. Like the rest of the world, he didn’t realise how quickly they would take over.

He was at work when he realised that the Government was partially wiped out and beginning to fracture. With ten days remaining on his Visa he urgently booked a plane ticket. Massoud was hoping to flee within the week, thinking he had a few days to organise his departure. He was wrong.

Kabul fell to the Taliban, within a matter of hours.

“For the first time in 20 years, I heard a lot of gunshots near my area, and that made me so scared. ” 

“I packed really fast, I couldn’t take everything I wanted.” 

Massoud Hossaini, Photojournalist

Massoud explains the Government or security was nowhere to be seen. Scared foreigners and locals filled Kabul airport in hopes of escaping. Massoud describes the situation as pure chaos.

Massoud classifies himself as one of the lucky ones as he bordered the plan and left the country safely. However, it doesn’t shake the immense and overwhelming sadness and devastation of knowing this would be the last time he would lay eyes on Afghanistan for the inevitable future.

Massoud safely fled Afghanistan and has resettled abroad in Holland.

“I was really emotional because I knew that I would leave Afghanistan forever…

While Taliban is in power, I would never go back to Afghanistan.”

Massoud Hossaini, Photojournalist

Taliban to ban local media

While the Taliban insists they have changed and will not return to old ways. Their actions are speaking a different language. Massoud insists the Taliban have not changed and should not be trusted.

There are fears the Taliban will slowly resume their controlling, violent, undemocratic ways. He insists they’re manipulating the international community. He fears the first step will be a ban on all local media.

“They [Taliban] will destroy all local media… they’re fooling the international community”

Massoud Hossaini, Photojournalist