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Iran uses Israeli bombings to speed up Afghan expulsions : Ali M. Latifi / The New Humanitarian


Article shared by Niloufar Pourzand


 Summary 
 In the wake of Israel’s bombings in Iran and a new government crackdown, tens of thousands of Afghans have been expelled from Iran, many forcibly and under degrading conditions. Afghans report being harassed, arbitrarily detained, having valid documents invalidated, and facing systemic exclusion from basic services. 

The crackdown intensified after accusations of Afghans spying for Israel. By mid-July, over 600,000 Afghans had returned from Iran to Afghanistan within just 40 days, often arriving destitute, traumatized, and without shelter. 

Iran’s newly elected leadership has escalated anti-Afghan policies, echoing similar deportation waves in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's humanitarian system is overwhelmed and underfunded, with only 22% of the needed aid funded. 

 Quotes 
“Whatever you say, they show no mercy… they will come looking for Afghans.” - 
“Two million individuals… are now also considered undocumented.” - 
“We sold some of it at a pittance, and now we’re here with nothing.” - 
“Afghanistan… cannot meet these new needs without immediate international support.” - 
“That’s where things fall apart… Many have nowhere to go, no relatives in Herat or Kabul, no jobs, no shelter.”

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