WASHINGTON – The first evacuation flight of Afghan interpreters and other US Army collaborators to Afghanistan landed on Friday at Washington Dulles International Airport.
Afghanistan, the drama of the interpreters: “No future in Kabul for us. There is exile or death”
by Francesco Bussoletti
An airliner carrying 221 Afghans, including 57 children and 15 infants, according to the document obtained by Associated Press, arrived in US territory in the early hours of this morning. Evacuation flights were organized for the resettlement of former translators who are at risk of death from retaliation by the Taliban for working with US military and civilians.
The correspondent of Al Jazeera from Kabul reported that the US embassy in the city was “very cautious” on the news of the evacuation flights. “They told us they are incredibly concerned about the safety and privacy of these interpreters,” writes the Qatari broadcaster. “They are concerned about information leaking about logistics and who these people are and how they are getting out. It would put their future at risk.”
Afghanistan, interpreter of the US army beheaded by the Taliban
Washington has announced that about 750 Afghans have already been approved for a US visa, with an estimated 1,750 people, including families. 20,000 former collaborators have asked for evacuation under the US State Department’s special immigrant visa program. Some estimates suggest that the total number of potential displaced persons could reach 100,000, counting family members.
.