Left Behind: The Plight Of Afghan Allies Stranded In Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan was an armed conflict from 2001 to 2021, ending with the withdrawal of US and Allied forces from Afghanistan. The conflict was the direct response to the September 11 attacks, with the US-led forces expelling the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate and establishing the Islamic Republic. However, the Taliban regrouped and retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, leading to the withdrawal of international forces. During the evacuation, it is estimated that over 120,000 people were airlifted out of Kabul, including around 2,000 Afghans who worked with NATO and their families.

Despite the evacuation efforts, it is believed that hundreds of Afghans who aided US forces remain in the country. The exact number is unknown, but estimates range from 100 to 250,000. The majority of those left behind are dual citizens or permanent residents with deep roots and extended families in Afghanistan, making the decision to evacuate a difficult one. The effort to get these remaining individuals out of the country is now a diplomatic one, with the US State Department working to find safe routes for them to leave.

The number of Afghan allies left in Afghanistan

During the evacuation, the US and its allies airlifted more than 120,000 civilians out of Kabul, including around 2,000 Afghans working for NATO and their families. However, it is unclear how many Afghans eligible for evacuation were left behind. The White House estimated that 100 to 200 Americans remained in Afghanistan, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the number was likely closer to 100.

The evacuation efforts focused on US citizens and Afghan allies who had worked directly with US forces and were eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). However, the exact number of Afghans who aided US forces and wanted to leave is unknown. The Association of Wartime Allies estimated that at least 250,000 Afghans likely eligible for evacuation had not been evacuated as of August 25, 2021. This number included interpreters, contractors, and others who worked with the US during the war.

The State Department has continued efforts to evacuate remaining citizens, legal permanent residents, and eligible Afghans. As of August 31, 2021, the State Department had evacuated about 5,500 Americans and was working to evacuate an additional 100 to 200. The State Department has also evacuated at-risk Afghans, with 23,876 Afghans transported to the US between August 17 and August 31, 2021.

The evacuation of Afghan allies has been a challenging and complex process, and it is difficult to determine the exact number of allies left in Afghanistan. However, estimates suggest that there could be thousands of Afghans who aided US and NATO forces still in the country.

The evacuation of Afghan allies

Planning and Coordination

The evacuation efforts were coordinated by the U.S. government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security, which established a group to ensure unity in the response. Various U.S. government departments, including Defense, State, and Homeland Security, worked together to address issues such as international negotiations, evacuation priorities, security screening, and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)

A critical component of the evacuation was the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which applied to Afghans who had worked with U.S. forces during the war. SIV holders and their families were among those given priority for evacuation. However, the process of obtaining SIVs faced challenges, and many eligible Afghans faced difficulties in securing the necessary documentation.

Numbers Evacuated

The evacuation efforts resulted in the departure of over 120,000 people from Afghanistan, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Afghan allies, and vulnerable Afghans such as journalists and human rights activists. This evacuation was the largest non-combatant evacuation operation in U.S. military history.

Role of the Taliban

The evacuation took place amid the Taliban's rapid advance and the fall of Kabul on August 15, 2021. The U.S. and its allies had to coordinate with the Taliban to ensure safe passage for those evacuating. There was controversy over the U.S. providing the Taliban with lists of Americans and Afghan allies to be evacuated, raising concerns about the safety of those individuals.

Challenges and Criticisms

The evacuation faced significant challenges, including the rapid deterioration of the security situation and the need to process a large number of evacuees. There was also criticism of the Biden administration for its handling of the evacuation, particularly regarding the timing of the withdrawal and the failure to evacuate all U.S. citizens and at-risk Afghans.

Ongoing Efforts

Even after the completion of the initial evacuation, efforts continued to assist those left behind. The U.S. government worked with Qatar and the Evacuate Our Allies Coalition to facilitate further evacuations. Additionally, the U.S. provided support for the resettlement of Afghans in the U.S. and other countries, including Maine.

The resettlement of Afghan allies

The US government, through Operation Allies Welcome, has relocated thousands of Afghan allies and their families. This includes Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and applicants, as well as those eligible for SIVs due to their work or association with the US government. The Biden administration has taken steps to accelerate the processing of Afghans, resulting in the issuance of over 8,200 SIVs. The US has also provided funding to support the resettlement of up to 95,000 individuals through Operation Allies Welcome.

The resettlement process involves multiple steps, including initial processing at pre-designated US military bases, COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and additional medical services. Afghan allies are then connected with non-governmental organizations for resettlement into communities across the country. This process is coordinated by the Department of State, which works closely with the Department of Defense and other partners.

In addition to the US government's efforts, non-profit organizations, local communities, and private citizens have also played a crucial role in welcoming and supporting Afghan refugees. These efforts include providing housing, clothing, transportation, employment opportunities, and cultural classes to help them integrate into their new communities.

However, the resettlement process has faced challenges, such as the need for rapid evacuation and the trauma experienced by many Afghan evacuees. There are also legal complexities surrounding the status of Afghan arrivals, as many do not meet the legal definition of refugees. This has led to concerns about their temporary status and the risk of deportation if they are unable to secure permanent legal status.

To address these challenges, organizations like Human Rights First have advocated for legislation like the Afghan Adjustment Act to help permanently resettle Afghan allies in the US. The Act would allow certain Afghan evacuees to apply for permanent status after a year of being paroled into the country, providing a more secure pathway to residency.

Overall, the resettlement of Afghan allies has been a complex and ongoing process, involving multiple organizations and communities. While there have been challenges, there is also a strong commitment to supporting those who worked alongside the US and its allies during their time in Afghanistan.

The number of Afghan allies the US is still trying to get out

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan left many Afghan allies stranded in the country. The Biden administration has been heavily criticized for this, as the president had promised to keep troops in Afghanistan until all American citizens and allies were evacuated.

The exact number of Afghan allies left in Afghanistan is unknown. The White House has put the figure at 100 to 200, while the State Department has said that it is likely closer to 100. The New York Times reported that at least 250,000 Afghans who aided the US forces were not evacuated.

The evacuation of remaining citizens, legal permanent residents, and eligible Afghans is now a diplomatic issue handled by the State Department. The US has not made a decision on whether to recognize the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan.

The US has shifted its focus in Afghanistan to humanitarian aid and targeted assistance to help meet basic human needs and avoid a complete economic collapse. The US remains the largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

The diplomatic efforts to get Afghan allies out

The US government has been instrumental in coordinating evacuations and has evacuated around 79,000 civilians, including 6,000 Americans and 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians. The Biden administration has also facilitated the departure of 479 American citizens, 450 lawful permanent residents, and 256 SIV holders with 1003 of their immediate family members. The US has welcomed more than 74,000 Afghans through Operation Allies Welcome and is prepared to facilitate the resettlement of additional qualifying Afghans.

Other countries that have been involved in the diplomatic efforts include Bahrain, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. Albania, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Mexico, Poland, Qatar, Rwanda, and Uganda have also made generous offers regarding the relocation efforts for at-risk Afghans.

The US State Department has played a key role in the diplomatic efforts, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing gratitude to US allies and partners for their support in evacuating US citizens, personnel from partner nations, and at-risk Afghans. Blinken has also stated that the US will continue its relentless efforts to help Americans, foreign nationals, and Afghans leave Afghanistan if they choose.

The diplomatic efforts have involved coordination between various US government departments, including the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security. The US has also worked closely with allies and partners, including NATO and the G7 countries.

The evacuation and resettlement efforts have been supported by various organizations, including the Evacuate Our Allies Coalition, which is made up of trusted human rights, religious, and refugee organizations, as well as veterans and frontline civilians. The Coalition has advocated for the immediate evacuation of all persons who qualified for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and urged the administration to bring all at-risk Afghans to safety.

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