Taliban Invites Afghans Who Aided US to Return Home from Qatar
The foreign ministry of Afghanistan, led by the Taliban, announced that Afghans who aided the United States throughout its 20-year conflict and are currently in Qatar can return home safely. This declaration was made on Saturday by spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi. This comes amid reports that the Trump administration is contemplating relocating 1,100 of these Afghans, along with family members of US military personnel, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The advocacy organization #AfghanEvac revealed on Wednesday that US officials had discussed this relocation with the DRC, as these individuals have been residing at Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha for the past year. The US State Department acknowledged it is considering options for voluntary resettlement in a third country but did not disclose specific nations. #AfghanEvac also highlighted that returning to Afghanistan poses risks of reprisals or death from the Taliban for these individuals.
Key facts
- Taliban foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said Afghans who helped the US can safely return to Afghanistan.
- The statement came after reports that the Trump administration may send 1,100 Afghans to the DRC.
- The Afghans are currently stuck at Camp As-Sayliyah, a US base in Doha, Qatar.
- #AfghanEvac reported that US officials discussed relocating the refugees to the DRC.
- The US State Department is seeking to voluntarily resettle the refugees in a third country.
- Refugees fear reprisals or death from the Taliban for working with the US.
- The Afghans assisted the US during its two-decade war in Afghanistan.
Entities
Institutions
- Taliban
- Afghanistan's foreign ministry
- United States
- Trump administration
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- #AfghanEvac
- Camp As-Sayliyah
- US State Department
Locations
- Afghanistan
- Qatar
- United States
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- Doha
- Camp As-Sayliyah