The Taliban’s lightning takeover of Afghanistan forced Hariss to bring forward his escape plan, only to find himself stranded on a Qatari airbase packed with evacuees yearning for new lives in the US.
US officials confirmed evacuation operations from Afghanistan stalled for several hours on Friday because the receiving base in Qatar was overcrowded and could receive no further evacuees.
“There are thousands of Afghans in horrific conditions,” Hariss told AFP via WhatsApp.
“This is our third day here and there is no WiFi, only one washroom and one toilet,” said the 31-year-old, who landed at the base on Wednesday and asked to be identified only by his first name for fear of retribution.
“Still here at the base, apparently waiting to be boarded onto a plane but not sure how many more hours. We don’t get any accurate info right away. Finding info is impossible.”
Qatari officials have stressed that “all evacuated people are provided proper accommodation and all other required…