Afghan allies stunned by New Zealand's 'betrayal' (Ababil Islamic News)

 

Afghan allies stunned by New Zealand's 'betrayal'

New Zealand has announced an end to the withdrawal of troops, civilians and allies from Afghanistan. However, the number of Afghan interpreters cooperating with them has increased. Trapped in Kabul, they panicked, saying it was a "complete betrayal" of the New Zealand government.

A New Zealand flight arrives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with passengers from Kabul on Thursday night. All members of the country's army have left Afghanistan. No New Zealanders are currently stationed at Kabul airport. However, some people still remain in Kabul. They are in touch with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said no more planes will be sent to Afghanistan.

The Guardian spoke to Ali, an Afghan interpreter who had been granted a resettlement visa in New Zealand for fear of retaliation by the Taliban for helping the Allies. He lives in Kabul and is in contact with a group of 36 other translators, interpreters and others who are helping the New Zealand forces in Afghanistan. He said none of them were removed. "This is shocking news," he said, referring to the New Zealand government's last mission to withdraw them. I can't believe it at all. No, I can’t believe it. ’He said,‘ What will happen to us? What will happen to the 36 people who get visas and work directly (for New Zealand)? My message is not to leave us behind. This is a complete betrayal. The government may look for other ways. "

On Friday morning, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand was closing more flights to Kabul thanks to the continued threat of terrorist attacks. The announcement came after massive casualties in a violent attack at Kabul airport on Thursday. "The Afghans who were abandoned in Kabul are alarmed," Ali said. They believe that the country is on the brink of civil war. Fear is growing, people are selling everything to get out of the country as soon as possible by any means. You can see fear and frustration in everyone's eyes. '

At a news conference with the defense forces on Friday, Ardern said the evacuation route was now closed following the attack. Ardern did not know how many New Zealand visa holders remained in Afghanistan and how many of those registered for safe travel was able to get out. ‘But I can say, we know for sure, we didn’t get everyone out,’ he said. He added, ‘New Zealand has not given up trying to bring visa holders into the country. It will be difficult and it will take a long time, but we will not let anyone come home. '

Ali, along with other Afghan workers and translators, made several requests to come to New Zealand in the months before the fall of Kabul. Those appeals were widely reported in the New Zealand media. The government has repeatedly rejected them. Immigration Minister Chris Fafoi told the group that the government did not want to "expand" aid to former allies. 

Source: The Guardian.