Taliban fighter brandishing AK-47 filmed demanding CNN reporter covers her face

An AK-47 wielding Taliban fighter was filmed demanding CNN reporter Clarissa Ward covers her face while she reported on scenes in Kabul.

The Taliban threatened the camera crew after following them as they reported on chaos in the Afghanistan capital on Wednesday following the collapse of the government.

Ward was bravely walking through the city when she was told by the man, through an interpreter, to cover her face.

She said that he was blaming the United States for the mayhem in Kabul.

“The cause of all this is America in Afghanistan,” he reportedly said.

Ward was filming a piece in Kabul on the chaotic scenes around the airport (CNN)

“Look at these people. America is really acting unfairly towards them. Why are they lying and telling them they can go to America? Why don’t they stay and help their country?”

She did cover her face and then continued the report, with Afghans coming up to her showing documentation as they sought help to leave the country.

“He worked in American camps and can’t get into the airport,” she said of one man who appeared desperate to leave Afghanistan and was brandishing official papers.

With the mood tense Ward said on the camera that they should go back to the car.

The Taliban was carrying an AK-47 and threatened her through an interpreter (CNN)

“These Taliban fighters are hopped up on adrenaline or I don’t know what, it’s a very dicey situation,” she explained.

At this point Taliban fighters appear ready to hit out at CNN producer Brent Swailes with their rifle butts, although they back off when they are told permission has been given for the report.

“When the fighters are told we have permission to report, they lower their weapons and let us pass,” Ward continued.

“You can imagine, this is us, a news crew, clearly western, and still exposed to insanity.

Talibans also raised their guns as though to hit a CNN producer (CNN)

“If you’re an ordinary Afghan trying to get through those Taliban guards and trying to get into the airport, I don’t really see how you’re able to get in unless you have some kind of contact or connection but the infrastructure isn’t really in place to do that.

Since Kabul fell to the Taliban last Sunday, opponents have been desperate to leave but their efforts have been made more difficult as the fighters now control the entry to the airport.

Travellers have also struggled to get past the American soldiers controlling the airport from the inside and there have been reports of rescue planes leaving with few people on board.