KABUL: The Afghan Taliban assured the translators that worked with theforeign forces in Afghanistan that they have nothing to fear for the workthey did for the international troops only if they “show remorse”.
Thousands of Afghans have received visas to live abroad after servingalongside US and NATO troops — particularly as interpreters — but hundredsmore are scrambling to leave before US President Joe Biden’s September 11withdrawal deadline.
In recent weeks many interpreters have demonstrated in Kabul, demandingforeign forces and embassies that they worked with help them relocate.
“They shall not be in any danger on our part,” the Taliban said in astatement.
“The Islamic Emirate would like to inform all the above people that theyshould show remorse for their past actions and must not engage in suchactivities in the future that amount to treason against Islam and thecountry.”
While Afghans were viewed as foes when they worked with foreign forces,they will not face any issues “when they abandon enemy ranks”, they added.
“Hence they should not remain fearful.”
Over the past two decades, dozens of Afghan translators have been killedand tortured in targeted assaults by the Taliban.
Afghan interpreter Mohammad Shoaib Walizada, who worked with the US army,dismissed the Taliban’s assurance.
“I don’t believe the Taliban… They are targeting journalists and mediaworkers, why would they spare us?” Walizada told *AFP* on Monday.
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“They never stick to their word or promise. They will take their revengebecause they consider us agents or spies.”
“They are tracking us,” Omid Mahmoodi, an interpreter who worked with USforces 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 10years, feared that without leaving the country he would not evade theTaliban for long.
“I regret working for the US. It was the biggest mistake of my life,” saidOmar, who asked *AFP* not to use his full name.
“My own uncle and cousins call me an agent of America.”
Last week the Taliban sought to calm foreign embassies after the Australianmission in Kabul closed its doors.
The group said they would provide a “safe environment” for these missionsto work even after foreign forces leave the country. -APP/AFP
