Afghan Allies in Qatar Urged to Return Home as Evacuation Talks Surface

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry urged Afghans who helped the U.S. during its war and are stranded at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar to return home through safe, legal channels, as reports surface that the U.S. may relocate about 1,100 evacuees and relatives to a third country (potentially Congo). The group of evacuees says they have not been informed by U.S. officials about relocations, fearing Taliban reprisals if they return to Afghanistan, where they say the Taliban would harm them. The State Department says it is seeking voluntary relocation options while Afghanistan says its doors are open for those who wish to come home and that there are no security threats forcing anyone to leave.