Petrified parents shield babies from bullets as Taliban open fire at Kabul Airport

Terrified Afghans clutching their children were forced to shield as Taliban fighters opened fire in chaotic scenes captured outside Kabul airport.

Desperate families have been seen trying to pass their children towards US soldiers at the airport, such is the fear of what the Taliban takeover will bring to the country.

But now Talibans have been filmed trying to disperse the large crowds by first firing into the sky and then apparently shooting in the direction of the people.

Clips show gunmen in camouflage fatigues, thought to be elite Taliban forces who begin shooting, forcing people to run for their lives.

The Taliban now have control of the access into Kabul airport and it is making it very difficult for people to leave the country.

Parents could be seen desperately trying to shield their children from the bullets

They are reportedly not letting some people through and others are worried that they will identify themselves to the Taliban as their enemies.

It is in this chaos with lots of families among the crowd, that the Talibans started firing.

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One woman can be seen trying to protect her crying child in footage, while another video shows people crouching down as the bullets fly over their heads.

Amidst the noise of the gunfire, a voice can also be heard over a megaphone apparently telling people to leave the area.

Chaotic scenes have been filmed outside Kabul airport this week as people try and leave the country

The inside of the airport is still controlled by around 6,000 US soldiers who have also reportedly used their guns to try and maintain order with warning shots.

There is footage that appears to show a child being successfully handed to an American soldier over a wall and it is not clear whether the parents of the youngster have also been able to leave.

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Western countries have sent planes to bring people home and also some have pledged to take in refugees.

But many planes so far have left Kabul with few people on board due to the difficulty of getting through the airport.

Footage has also shown people apparently handing their children to US soldiers to get them out of the country

Britain is trying to bring a reported 6,000 people out made up of government workers and those who have helped the British Army including translators.

So far the Taliban have offered a conciliatory line in their public addresses since seizing power but there is plenty of skepticism over whether this is just a front as they impose a crackdown behind the scenes.

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