Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 15 Jul 2021, 01:05 am Print
Afghan Interpreters Washington: The United States will evacuate Afghan interpreters who helped the US-led forces during the conflict and are considered to be at risk as Taliban fighters continue to capture newer territories in Afghanistan.
The evacuation will begin in the last week of July under operation Allies Refuge, White House has said.
In a briefing, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the US wants to "recognise and value the role these courageous individuals have played over the last several years".
Reuters reported citing an official on conditions of anonymity that the initial evacuation will include about 2,500 people who will be either housed in military facilities in the US or in a third country while their visa applications are processed.
They will be alloted visa under the special immigrant visa program given to those individuals who worked with the US government or the America-led military force during the Afghanistan war that began in 2001.
As the Taliban is making rapid advancements, the Afghan translators face a bigger threat of retaliation than ever. Taliban fighters have already seized the border crossings of Iran Tajikistan Turkmenistan and yesterday Pakistan.
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