Amid prolonged waits for US visas in Qatar, the Taliban regime in Kabul has issued a reassuring call for Afghan citizens to come back home without fear. The Saturday announcement from the Afghan Foreign Ministry challenges narratives of instability, claiming the country poses no danger to returnees.
Spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi responded to reports about 1,100 Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah, including ex-US allies and their kin displaced since the 2021 Taliban resurgence. Amu TV highlighted their precarious situation, with US authorities mulling transfers to Congo—drawing sharp rebukes from American politicians over safety implications.
These individuals, many vetted for American relocation more than a year back, endure uncertainty in the Qatari camp. Balkhi’s message paints Afghanistan as a shared sanctuary: ‘Our nation welcomes all, including those in similar circumstances, with open arms.’ He stressed zero security risks and no forced exoduses.
Travel abroad remains an option through proper channels, the spokesperson noted. This stance arrives as UN envoy Richard Bennett criticized potential EU-Taliban talks on migrant returns, arguing they breach international law’s non-refoulement doctrine given persistent abuses against vulnerable groups.
For Afghans torn between resettlement dreams and homeland ties, the Taliban’s pitch offers a provocative alternative. It reflects ongoing diplomatic maneuvers as Washington grapples with its evacuation promises, leaving thousands in limbo across the globe.
