• Q&A Keys to the Taliban advance in Afghanistan

The Government finalizes an operation to bring to

Spain

the interpreters who collaborated with the Spanish soldiers in Afghanistan and who, after the withdrawal of the troops, stayed in the Asian country, where the Taliban have conquered seven regional capitals in a week.

Sources from the Ministries of

Foreign Affairs

and

Defense

have confirmed to Efe that they are studying with the Interior how to provide help to those interpreters who feel threatened because they have worked for the international coalition, although they do not specify the number of people affected.

The Foreign Ministry indicates that they are "closing the details of the operation" so that "the plan to return to

Spain

can be executed

as soon as possible", given the risk they run in a country where the Taliban may treat them as collaborators of the forces. foreign.

The Taliban offensive is forcing thousands of Afghans from their homes and many civilian employees who worked for foreign troops feel especially threatened.

20,000 visas for former employees in the US

The US government, which announced in early August that it was expanding its reception program for Afghan refugees, is already processing some 20,000 visa applications from interpreters, drivers and other former employees who want to move to the US with their families - at least 50,000 more people. -in order to help them leave the country before the end of August, when the military withdrawal from the region will officially conclude.

The sources consulted by Efe do not specify the number of people who could arrive in

Spain

;

if they would only be interpreters or also other employees who collaborated with the Spanish troops, such as cooks, mechanics or drivers;

nor will members of their families be included.

The working group of the three ministries is making checks in order to achieve a "clear identification" of those involved and also to analyze the type of international protection that would be granted to them upon arrival in

Spain

.

The last 24 Spanish soldiers stationed in

Afghanistan

were received by King Felipe VI on May 13, concluding after 19 years the longest mission in which the

Armed Forces

have participated

.

Along with the 24 soldiers,

two local interpreters also

arrived in

Spain

, but no official information has been provided on the number of people who have already been welcomed.

"They will be in no danger"

The Taliban promised last June not to

attack the Afghan interpreters and other citizens of the Asian country have served foreign military forces, as fear spread retaliation to the approaching deadline for the withdrawal announced by the

United States

of the 11 of September.

The interpreters should "return to their normal lives and, if they are experts in any field, serve their country. They will not be in any danger," the insurgent formation said in a statement, which, however, considers that these people have committed "a treason against Islam and the country "and must" show remorse for their actions. "

In June hundreds of former Afghan employees of the US forces demonstrated in

Kabul

to ask the

United States

for special visas to be evacuated from the country together with foreign troops in the face of the threat of the Taliban advance, which since then has only accelerated.

The website of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

recommends, in capital letters, "under no circumstances travel to

Afghanistan

."

Given the deterioration in security and the uncertainty about the stability of air connectivity, Spaniards who may be in that country are advised to leave as soon as possible.

The Foreign Ministry stresses that "there is a serious risk throughout the country of attacks and kidnappings" and warns of the possibility of "bomb attacks and suicide attacks," especially in public places, government buildings, headquarters of international organizations and NGOs. and hotels.

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