Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tells the press that evacuation flights of the Afghans had been banned. (Photo: Wakil Kohsar/ AFP)

Evacuations organised by nations or non-governmental organisations have been banned, while even families attempting to leave the country by their own means now need "an excuse", or they will be stopped by immigration. Women will also not be able to fly abroad unless accompanied by a male relative.

The new travel restriction law will make it impossible for tens of thousands of Afghans who used to work for foreign forces in the country to evacuate abroad. They fear being targeted by the Taliban.