Afghanistan: What the future holds for those who remain under the rule of the Taliban

ITV News Senior International Correspondent John Irvine reports on those who will stay in Afghanistan after the US withdrawal deadline

When it comes to the Afghanistan crisis, much external focus has been on the plight of eligible evacuees, and little on the Afghans who will be left behind.

All 38 million people in the country will be living under the rule of the Taliban and whichever direction they choose to take.

Many shops have reopened since the Taliban took control, but a Kabul kite-seller told ITV News people were scared of buying from him - kites were banned under the Taliban's regime 20-years-ago.

In the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif, some schoolgirls were back at their desk. Previously, the Taliban banned education for girls and women over 10-years-old.

The claims of normality in Afghanistan's cities, however, are not reflected in rural areas.

Footage shows shuttered shops and Taliban gunmen refusing to pay for goods, while ITV News has already heard reports of women being tortured in the street.