Afghan Evacuees in Limbo in Qatar Camp Accuse US of Betrayal
Yogita Limaye, South Asia and Afghanistan Correspondent
Mahfouz Zubaide
Afghan evacuees seeking relocation to the US arrived at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar in August 2021, following the Taliban’s takeover. Eighteen months later, individuals like Alia remain stranded in a transit camp, anxiously awaiting their promised resettlement to the US. Unfortunately, it seems this route may now be permanently closed, leaving them uncertain about their futures.
– Safety Concerns: Returning to Afghanistan is not an option, Alia states. It’s too dangerous. Recent conflicts between the US and Iran have added to their fears, as the evacuees are increasingly worried about their safety in Qatar.
– Feelings of Betrayal: We have been betrayed. Not by the American people, but by those in government who had promised to take us to safety in America, Alia, a former lawyer in Afghanistan, expresses. Her name has been changed for her protection.
Alia is part of a larger group of over 1,100 Afghan evacuees at Camp As-Sayliyah (CAS) in Doha. This former US army base has been a processing site for those evacuated under Operation Allies Welcome, initiated by the Biden administration after the Taliban’s return. Recent Iranian attacks have heightened their anxiety.
– Dangerous Proximity: CAS is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the Al-Udeid US airbase, which has been targeted in several Iranian strikes. The evacuees warn, The danger is not directed at Qatar itself; the actual targets are American bases in Qatar—one of which is us. The emotional toll is palpable, especially among vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women.
A Call for Action
The evacuees have reached out to US officials, imploring President Trump for a one-time exception due to their precarious situation. These individuals are not just random refugees; they were brought here by the US government with the promise of resettlement, emphasizes Shawn VanDiver, a US military veteran and founder of AfghanEvac, a charity dedicated to helping Afghans who supported US operations.
– Gradual Shutdown of Opportunities: Since Trump’s administration, the road to resettlement has gradually narrowed. On January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order suspending refugee processing, further complicating the evacuees’ hopes for a future in the US.
Latif, another evacuee, recounts his years of collaboration with American forces. I worked honestly and faithfully with the Americans, he shares, weeping. This is not human rights. Alia echoes his sentiments, sharing the heartbreak and anxiety felt by many.
– Fear of Reprisal: Alia has represented many women facing domestic abuse in Afghanistan. With their abusers now in positions of power, she remains fearful for her life. “How can I go back to a country where those I helped convict are in power?” she asks poignantly.
Distrust in the Process
Despite the Taliban’s initial promises of amnesty, Latif and Alia remain skeptical. The US State Department has clarified that evacuees are not being forcibly returned, though some have voluntarily chosen to go back. Reports suggest they were offered $4,500 (£3,338) for the primary applicant and $1,200 for each family member—a temporary solution at best, considering the dire state of the Afghan economy.
Most evacuees continue to wait in Qatar, with the US State Department indicating it is in discussions with third countries for their relocation. In a recent statement, the department defended its actions, stating, It is not appropriate or humane to keep this group of individuals on the CAS platform indefinitely. However, VanDiver challenges this assertion, emphasizing the thorough vetting process that evacuees underwent during their association with US forces.
Alia concludes, We came here because we were told we would go to America. If the US option is no longer viable, we want assurances for an alternative that provides us safety. VanDiver believes that the only just resolution is to honor commitments and bring the evacuees to America. How can future partners trust us if we don’t keep our word to those Afghans who stood by us for 20 years?
After enduring decades of conflict in Afghanistan and avoiding potential reprisals, Afghan evacuees now find themselves trapped in yet another perilous situation.