Fear and chaos behind the surface that the Taliban are showing

SVT's Middle East correspondent Samir Abu Eid is together with photographer correspondent Salim Alsabbagh in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan.

In the city, relatively many people are seen on the streets, but not as many women as before. 

- On the surface, it looks like a lot works almost as usual, but underneath there is a lot of worry and fear, says Samir Abu Eid. 

Following the Taliban's takeover, food and petrol prices have skyrocketed.

Afghanistan's economy is dependent on cash.

In Kabul, thousands of people queue at ATMs while the Taliban shoot shots into the air to disperse the masses and stop the chaos. 

- A huge problem is that there is a lack of money and food.

Millions of people are at risk of starvation if aid does not enter the country, says Samir Abu Eid.

"Dare not stay"

Many are thinking about how to go about being able to leave the country, says Samir Abu Eid.

He describes his own journey into the country as strange and scary when the Taliban controlled the border.  

- Many do not dare to stay in Afghanistan, says Samir Abu Eid.

SVT's correspondent says that many Afghans he has met describe a feeling of deep frustration. 

- A young guy said that he has lost everything he loves, says Samir Abu Eid. 

In Mazar-e-Sharif, many have adapted their daily lives to the presence of the Taliban.

People no longer play music in their cars and have stopped going to cafes, according to Abu Eid.

Women demonstrate - resistance movement fights

Since the Taliban took over the country, they have shown a new side.

They have promised amnesty and to respect human, including women's, rights.

At the same time, women in Herat are demonstrating against the lack of women in the country's new government and for the right to work and education.  

With the help of parades where the Taliban hold old American weapons, the movement shows a strong facade.

North of the capital Kabul, fighting is still raging between the Taliban and militia forces. 

According to the resistance movement in the Panjshir Valley, the only area that the Taliban have not yet taken over, armed forces are also fighting the Taliban in the neighboring provinces of Baghlan, Parwan and Kapisa. Both the resistance movement and the Taliban fighters claim that the opposition side has suffered heavy losses.