Thousands flee Afghanistan as Taliban take control — See pictures

Tens of thousands of people are trying to flee Afghanistan to escape the hardline Islamist rule expected under the Taliban. Evacuation flights from Kabul's airport restarted on August 17 after the chaos of the previous day in which huge crowds mobbed the tarmac. Some people were so desperate to escape that they clung to the a US military plane as it prepared for take-off.

Inside a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III flown from Kabul to Qatar on August 15, 2021. The plane safely evacuated some 640 Afghans from Kabul, according to US defense officials contacted by Defense One. Credit: AFP Photo

Indian military aircraft filled with Indian nationals during their evacuation from Afghanistan. Credit: AFP Photo

British citizens and dual nationals residing in Afghanistan board a military plane for evacuation from Kabul airport, Afghanistan. Credit: Reuters Photo

Indian nationals queue to board an Indian military aircraft at the airport in Kabul. Credit: AFP Photo

Desperate Afghans climb atop a plane as they wait to leave Kabul. Credit: AFP Photo

Afghan families at the Kabul airport. Credit: AFP Photo

Afghan passengers waiting to leave the Kabul airport. Credit: AFP Photo

Hundreds of Afghan passengers wait to board a plane at Kabul airport. Credit: AFP Photo

Afghan passengers sit inside a plane as they flee Kabul after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war. Credit: AFP Photo