Coalition Efforts to Save Afghan Allies
Photo Credit and Caption: Mr. M. Ibrahimi (right), an interpreter assigned with the U.S. Army (USA) 401st Civil Affairs Battalion (CAB), speaks with two local residents of Moyo Mohammed Baba, Afghanistan, during a Humanitarian Aid (HA) mission. The HA mission was conducted to provide food, water, clothing, and education to local residents during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. (Wikipedia)
When foreign troops started to leave Afghanistan in May, the Taliban tried, yet largely failed, to regain control of the country. While they were successful in rural areas, they failed to overtake major cities until this week. Now, the Taliban has overwhelmed nine provincial capitals and controls all but three major cities. Afghan nationals have been instrumental in U.S.-led military efforts, including serving as guides and interpreters. With the U.S. military leaving Afghanistan, those Afghan citizens and their families might be in imminent danger. What can we do?
"Operation Allies Refuge."
Romal Noori, who worked with the U.S. military for nine years, spoke to The New York Times about his concerns as he waits for a special immigrant visa (SIV). He said, “We basically acted like a bridge between the Americans and the locals. In those days we were there to help them. Now we need their help.” On July 14, the U.S. government unveiled plans for "Operation Allies Refuge," where eligible Afghan nationals will be moved to other locations. John Kirby, the U.S. Department of Defense's press secretary, said that U.S. and overseas locations are under consideration, adding "We're trying to provide as many options to the State Department-led effort as we can."
"Slow and hampered."
Fort Lee in Virginia is the first temporary U.S. host location and at least 200 Afghan allies and their families have arrived. There are approximately 18,000 Afghan SIV applicants still waiting for approval to relocate to the United States. In June, National Public Radio (NPR) said that the SIV program, which is managed by the U.S. Department of State, is "slow and hampered by administrative problems." The process is intended to take nine months, but many SIV applicants have waited for years partially due to the program's lack of staff. Ambassador Ross Wilson, the chargé d'affaires at U.S. Embassy Kabul, told NPR, "We're working with our colleagues in Washington to try to cut through those numbers as quickly as we possibly can to meet the obligation that we all feel here, and that our country has, absolutely, to people who served us over the course of our time here."
Coalition evacuations are underway.
As the U.S. unveiled plans, Canada promoted a "path to protection." Canada's Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said that roughly 100 Afghan interpreters helped the Canadian military, but the government anticipates resettlement numbers "to be in the several thousands." In addition to interpreters, Canada's plan covers a myriad of former employees, including drivers and household staff. Meanwhile, Denmark plans to resettle some Afghan staffers; Spain is working to evacuate their Afghan translators; and Norway is relocating their Afghan staff as well as their families. The UK is sending troops to help with their evacuations. For now, Sweden and Finland are keeping their embassies open, though they have contingency plans for their Afghan colleagues.
History does not have to repeat itself. In honor of Suni Lee's epic all-around win at the Olympics, the July 30th The Friday Brief covered the U.S. Hmong community and how the U.S.'s "Secret War" in Laos led to a refugee crisis. The Hmong community helped the U.S. during the Vietnam War, but they were initially abandoned (and declared enemies of the state in Laos) when the U.S. left. Let's ensure that our governments know that we care about the fate of our Afghan allies and their families.
Support No One Left Behind. In the U.S., No One Left Behind is working to increase awareness and raise funds to get interpreters and their families out of Afghanistan. You can learn more, share their messages, and/or donate here. There is a similar organization in Canada called Not Left Behind that supports the Canadian government's resettlement efforts for Afghan interpreters.