CNN's chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward is on the ground in Afghanistan as the country collapses - from an abandoned US military outpost in Ghazni province, to a cramped position in Kandahar with Afghan troops under constant snipers, in today's dramatic Ion Kabul on the streets.
Chaos reigned at the Taliban-held capital's airport, with desperate Afghans looking for an exit and more US troops being sent in to oversee the evacuation. But Islamist militants are "leaning backwards to show a mature diplomatic political force. That's the image they want to convey," Ward said in an interview with Deadline this afternoon. "They're welcoming us on the street ... with some incidents," she said, "they asked me to stand aside, say why did you bring a woman?" (clip below)
Footage of him showed groups of curious people gathered around the Taliban, who were on patrol everywhere after taking the city without a fight on Sunday. The real story, she said, was that people were not visible, hidden inside, afraid to come out on the street.
She was wearing an abaya, or full-length black robe, and a hijab, or headscarf, and said that only a week ago she was not required to wear such clothes. She explained as much to Senator Ted Cruz in a Twitter exchange today after using her image to slam CNN for "cheerleading" the Taliban.
A Taliban spokesman today denied reports that henchmen were going door-to-door - and said the Taliban is not doing it if it is.
“For people who have been living in this country for a long time, it is difficult for the Taliban to obey. They have been troubled for a decade. Not an hour goes by when I don't get a phone call or text or whatsapp or tweet that please can you help, please can you help. The frustration is real. In fact, she said, Taliban commanders have indicated to her that they would reinstitute sanctions, including for women, but "gradually".
He said the Taliban were urging people not to leave the country as they found the scenery at the airport bad. "When people are literally willing to hang from the fuselage of a plane to get out, it doesn't send a good message."
This is a fluid situation and a dangerous job. But, "for most news organizations that have a large footprint here and a bureau the main concern is their local employees. I'm pretty confident that when it comes to pushing, Uncle Sam will find a way to get me out of here, But if I'm an Afghan it's a lot more complicated," she said.
Ward has been reporting with Afghan filmmaker Najibullah Qureshi (UK citizen) producer Brent Swales and cameraman William Bonet.
President Joe Biden acknowledged in his first public address on the crisis unfolding today that the Taliban's takeover of the country was faster than expected, but was firm on the decision to withdraw troops and focus on current threats.
“It [U.S. strategy decision] as a journalist. But what Afghans are asking – understanding that the U.S. cannot fight this war forever, and acknowledging that [the Afghans] ] has to take responsibility for his country - did he have to do so in such a hurry? Why were more concessions not taken from the Taliban? These questions are being asked."
She said that in many cases Afghan soldiers left their positions when they ran out of food or ammunition.
Ward was putting together one last package, saying he planned to "live all night and get up tomorrow to do it all again".
CNN's @clarissaward reports on what Afghanistan looks like as the Taliban take over.https://t.co/pJuaHC3iBC pic.twitter.com/zx9shFE8Lj
— New Day (@NewDay) August 16, 2021