Photo suppression of protests and bloodied women and children beaten by militants run counter to the more moderate image the militant group is trying to create by seizing power in Afghanistan.
According to local resident Anwar Khan, less than 24 hours after As a Taliban spokesman provided security guarantees during a press conference in Kabul, militants attempted to prevent local residents from planting the national flag of Afghanistan in the eastern city of Jalalabad.
The former police officer also told Reuters that 4 people were killed and 13 injured during the protest. Afghan news agency Pajhwok shared video footage of the alleged incident in which the crowd flees to the sound of gunfire. NBC News was unable to verify the footage.
Meanwhile, Taliban assurances that those wishing to be able to safely reach the Kabul airport, where thousands of people rushed in a desperate attempt to leave the country, were also undermined by reports and photographs of the Los Angeles Times journalist.
One graphic shows a woman and a child with blood on their faces and apparently unconscious.
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of people were at the entrance to the airport on Wednesday. Presumably, the Taliban demanded documents before letting in at least some of the passengers. According to the agency, the Taliban fired warning shots from time to time to disperse people.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said they received reports that people were denied entry or even beaten while trying to get into the airport.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy is operating outside the airport. coordinating further evacuation. On Tuesday, Biden administration officials told Senate officials that 15,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan.
These reports contrast with the new image the Taliban tried to create at their first press conference since the takeover of Kabul on Tuesday evening.
Their officials deny that the Taliban are involved in such violence, accusing people posing as Taliban for the injuries.
Promising not to infringe on women's rights, to welcome a free press and not to keep any » grievances «against past enemies, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid vowed that the group wants peaceful relations with other countries. This hardly reassured local residents who reported militants actively seeking women activists and allies of the previous government.
