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Fearing reprisals from the Taliban, ‘Operation Allies Refuge’ will send thousands of Afghan pilots waiting for visas to US buses.
The United States has launched Operation Allies Refuge to intercept thousands of Afghan civilians who have assisted US and NATO forces in 20 years in western Afghanistan while Taliban officials, White House officials and US ambassadors to Kabul have said.
The flights of those who are already in the US visa application will start last week in July, according to the US ambassador.
“The US ambassador should work with the State department to support Operation Allies Refuge,” said US Ambassador Ross Wilson, Chargé d’Affaires of the US in Kabul.
“These migration activities will enable the United States to realize its commitment to those who have served our country here at great risk,” Wilson said.
Fear of taking over the Taliban in Kabul has arisen as the group has the opportunity to go to war against Afghanistan’s government forces and police in areas around the capital. captured border crossings and Iran, Pakistan and neighboring Turkmenistan.
The program of The withdrawal of the US military, reducing the 4,000 troops to 650 remaining to protect Kabul’s ambassador and airport, is already 90 percent, according to US military officials. The US has given Bagram aircraft control to Afghan forces, and the US chief since 2018, General Austin ‘Scott’ Miller, has been recalled Washington.
“The US is looking at” soon “and relocating” Afghan nationally recognized citizens and their families who have supported the United States and our Afghan counterparts, “White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington, DC, on Thursday.
(1/2) The US ambassador will work with the State department to support Operation Allies Refuge. These migration activities allow the United States to fulfill its commitment to those who have sent our country here at great risk. https://t.co/JaHEFb7a04
– Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson (@USAmbKabul) July 15, 2021
There are about 20,000 translators, preachers, drivers and others with relatives who are planning to apply for visas to enter the US special Afghans program, Psaki said. The US Congress is drafting a visa ban and supporting an emergency evacuation plan.
Psaki said “a large portion of the group” would be “transferred to a military facility in the United States” where they would receive “hospital”, housing and assistance.
Others “who have not yet completed their research” may be sent to US military bases overseas or to third countries “where they will remain vigilant until visa approval is made,” Psaki said.
He did not say which US or third-party countries would be involved, in terms of security and safety for those who had been deported.
The relocation of Afghan people who support the US has been in operation for several weeks. President Joe Biden, who has authorized air travel, said: “Those who helped us are he will not be abandoned back. ”
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