Rubio: Five Countries Ready to Accept Stranded Afghan Refugees in Qatar
Tawazon – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the Trump administration does not want to force Afghans currently stranded in Qatar to return to Afghanistan and has spoken with at least five countries who are open to receiving them.
Reuters reported Tuesday night, June 2, that Rubio made the remarks during a meeting with US lawmakers.
According to the US secretary of state, at least five countries have expressed readiness to accept the refugees, though he did not name them.
More than 1,100 Afghan refugees have been held at the former U.S. Army base Camp As Sayliyah (CAS).
The refugees remained in the camp after the Republican President Donald Trump’s administration halted the resettlement process for Afghans in the United States.
They include individuals who fear returning to Afghanistan and possible Taliban retaliation because of their cooperation with US forces and institutions.
Rubio’s remarks come amid growing concerns in recent weeks over the fate of Afghan refugees based in Qatar.
Earlier reports had also suggested that the US government was attempting to transfer some of the refugees to Congo