UK plans quick relocation for over 3,000 Afghans

KABUL (Pajhwok): More than 3,000 Afghans, including family members, may be allowed to move to the United Kingdom, the BBC reports.

In line with government plans to relocate the former Afghans interpreters with the British military and government, they will be joining 1,300 others who have already settled in Britain.

The UK decision comes weeks after the former interpreters gathered in Kabul and expressed grave concerns about their security.

The British defence secretary called the decision the right move towards resettling the Afghan translators who were under threat of attacks from the Taliban.

Ben Wallace said current or former locally employed staffers under serious threat to life would be given priority in terms of relocation to the UK.

Home Secretary, Priti Patel described the decision as “a moral obligation” towards the Afghans who put their lies in danger while working for UK troops in Afghanistan.

British troops ended combat operations in southern Helmand province in 2014, leaving the interpreters in a grave security environment.

Wallace said: “With Western powers leaving Afghanistan, the threat is increasing and has increased, including targeted attacks by the Taliban.”

PAN Monitor/mud