US evacuates first group of Afghan interpreters, their families | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

US evacuates first group of Afghan interpreters, their families

ByYashwant Raj I Edited by Amit Chanda, Washington
Jul 31, 2021 02:41 AM IST

About 200 interpreters arrived with their families early morning and were taken to Fort Lee military base in Virginia, where they are expected to stay for a week to be processed and then relocated to unspecified destinations.

The first group of Afghan interpreters who had worked with US-led coalition forces and feared retaliation from the Taliban that have taken over a large part of the country, arrived in the United States on Friday.

In this December 11, 2009 photo, United States Marine Sgt Isaac Tate (left) and Cpl Aleksander Aleksandrov (centre), interview a local Afghan man with the help of a translator from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion on a patrol in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. (AP)
In this December 11, 2009 photo, United States Marine Sgt Isaac Tate (left) and Cpl Aleksander Aleksandrov (centre), interview a local Afghan man with the help of a translator from the 2nd MEB, 4th Light Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion on a patrol in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan. (AP)

About 200 interpreters arrived with their families early morning and were taken to Fort Lee military base in Virginia, where they are expected to stay for a week to be processed and then they will be relocated to unspecified destinations.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Welcome home,” President Joe Biden said to them in a statement and called for an “immediate reduction” in violence in Afghanistan and “for all regional actors to encourage the parties to return to negotiations without delay so that the Afghan people can achieve a durable and just political settlement that brings the peace and security they deserve”.

The Taliban have all but broken off peace talks and made significant military advances around the country as US-led coalition forces wrap up and leave much ahead of the self-imposed deadline of the September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Afghan interpreters and others who worked with the coalition forces over the past two decades are being evacuated by the US under a special immigration visa programme.

There is a sense of urgency about their evacuation as the Taliban expand areas under their control, with reports of the return of atrocities and brutality associated with their pre-2001 regime.

No One Left Behind, a non-profit group, has said that at least 300 Afghans or their family members have been killed for working with the US.

The United States plans to bring 700 of these interpreters with their immediate families - a combined total of about 2,500 people - under this programme, in addition to the 70,000 Afghans that have been relocated to America since 2008.

Once they are processed, they will be resettled in cities across the country with assistance through the United States Refugee Admissions Program. Those with relatives here can join them if they choose to, officials have said.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On