UCA News
Contribute

Taliban demands 'remorse' from fearful Afghan interpreters

Joe Biden sets September deadline to end Washington's 20-year military involvement in the war-wracked country
Taliban demands 'remorse' from fearful Afghan interpreters

Afghan families who have been displaced due to fighting between Taliban and Afghan forces take temporary shelter at a market in Mihtarlam, the capital of Laghman province, on May 24. (Photo: AFP)

Published: June 07, 2021 09:01 AM GMT
Updated: June 07, 2021 09:06 AM GMT

The Taliban insists that Afghans who worked with foreign forces in the past had nothing to fear once international troops leave as long as they show "remorse".

US and NATO forces are continuing to pull out of Afghanistan after US President Joe Biden set Sept. 11 as the deadline to end Washington's 20-year military involvement in the war-wracked country.

Many interpreters have already left the country on their own while several have been relocated by their former employers for fear that after the withdrawal they will be more vulnerable to revenge attacks from the insurgents.

"They shall not be in any danger on our part," the Taliban said in a statement.

"The Islamic Emirate would like to inform all the above people that they should show remorse for their past actions and must not engage in such activities in the future that amount to treason against Islam and the country."

These Afghans were viewed as foes previously when they worked with foreign forces, they said.

The Taliban will not pardon us. They will kill us and they will behead us

"But when they abandon enemy ranks and opt to live as ordinary Afghans in their homeland, they will not face any issues (and) hence they should not remain fearful."

Over the past two decades, dozens of Afghan translators have been killed and tortured in targeted assaults by the Taliban.

In recent weeks, many of these Afghans have staged demonstrations in Kabul, demanding that the foreign forces and embassies that they worked with should relocate them outside of Afghanistan.

"They are tracking us," Omid Mahmoodi, an interpreter who worked with US forces between 2018 and 2020, told AFP last week.

"The Taliban will not pardon us. They will kill us and they will behead us."

Another interpreter, Omar, who worked with the US embassy for about 10 years, feared that without leaving the country he would not evade the Taliban for long.

"I regret working for the US. It was the biggest mistake of my life," said Omar, who asked AFP not to use his full name. "My own uncle and cousins call me an agent of America."

The US, Britain and some other countries said they had accelerated relocation of these interpreters and other Afghan employees who worked with them, but the process has dragged on for years.

Last week the Taliban also tried to calm foreign embassies after the Australian mission shut down in Kabul.

The insurgents said they would provide a "safe environment" for these missions to work even after foreign forces leave the country.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia