Getting in touch with the Taliban

Without getting into too much detail, this is a group I’ve met and reported on before. So I contacted them again for this report. There was no room for doubt because they knew me. When I contacted them for the first report, they thought I was a spy. I had to reassure them, discuss with them. When they saw my first report on the internet they understood that I wasn’t a danger to them and that I wasn’t taking sides in the conflict.

This kind of report requires months of preparation. I’ve been in Afghanistan for three years, but have met the Taliban only on three occasions.

The conditions of this report are particular; it isn’t just an interview. Since I meant to spend several days with them, this required authorization from their commanders, close to Mullah Omar.

Caught in Taliban action
 

I followed the Taliban on one of their operations at night. Unaware of the plans, I was only informed at the last minute. They attacked a police post on the Kandahar – Kabul highway. They didn’t tell me where they were going, I just followed them. The operation lasted between 4-5 hours. We drove for two hours. Then they needed time to prepare the rockets and walk across a barren field. Finally, there was 20 minutes of fierce fighting.
 

Fighting fear

The walk across the field scared me the most. I've covered this kind of operation before, but from the American side, in the relative safety of an armored vehicle. The soldiers were caught in an ambush by the Taliban. But this time we were walking in the open, without a bullet-proof jacket or helmet. Even though the Taliban take responsibility for your security, you know they’re equally eager to die.

I wasn’t scared of the Taliban because it’s a group I know. If you go through the right channels and ask for authorization to film a report with them, normally, you’ll face few problems.

A woman journalist in Afghanistan

Contrary to what one would believe, it’s easier for a woman to work in Afghanistan. Afghans and Pashtuns are warm towards foreigners and women. The Taliban ensured my security. In fact, female foreigners are a third gender for them. On one hand, I slept with other women, but during the day I spent my time with the fighters, the men. I was there during Ramadan and they fed me. And when I left, they offered me a robe and bracelets.

Furthermore, it’s easier to win their confidence because in their eyes, there are fewer chances for a woman to be a spy.

For this reportage, the Taliban commander and I agreed that I would dress like a man during the day to avoid drawing attention. There were other fighters who weren’t really part of the group I was with.

Ensuring security

When I move around I wear the burka. It’s absolutely necessary to go unnoticed because there is a lot of crime. There is a high risk of getting kidnapped for a ransom. After travelling for two hours, I met a Taliban escort who took me through a Taliban-controlled area. I remained covered till the time we arrived in the zone controlled by the group I was with. I always work with a fixer, it’s impossible to work without one in Afghanistan.

Time spent with the Taliban

I spent three days with them. After that, it started becoming apparent that there was a woman among them; and that meant danger.