Afghanistan commercial flights resume as U.N. accuses Taliban of harassment

Afghan refugees are processed inside Hangar 5 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, September 8, 2021. Olivier Douliery / Pool via REUTERS

(Reuters) -The first international commercial flight under Afghanistan's new Taliban interim government departed Kabul on Thursday carrying more than 100 foreigners, including some U.S. citizens left behind after last month's chaotic Western airlift.

The flight marked an important step in the Taliban's efforts to create a functioning state after they seized power last month, although there were growing reports of violence against women, foreigners and journalists at the hands of the Islamists.