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Trump vows to help Afghan evacuees, but cable shows UAE already deporting
The internal cable, dated July 10, details a meeting between U.S. officials and a senior advisor to the UAE foreign ministry, during which Emirati authorities confirmed the return of two Afghan families
Days before U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to rescue Afghan evacuees stranded in the United Arab Emirates, Emirati officials had already begun repatriating some of them to Afghanistan and informed U.S. officials of their plans, according to a confidential U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters.
The internal cable, dated July 10, details a meeting between U.S. officials and Salem al-Zaabi, a senior advisor to the UAE foreign ministry, during which Emirati authorities confirmed the return of two Afghan families and disclosed plans to deport the remaining 25 evacuees still housed at the Emirates Humanitarian City facility in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE agreed in 2021 to temporarily host thousands of Afghans fleeing Kabul after the Islamic Emirate’s takeover during the final phase of the U.S. military withdrawal. While more than 17,000 evacuees were eventually resettled through the UAE facility, a group of about 30 individuals remain stranded.
On Sunday, Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform, linking to a report on the stranded Afghans and declaring: “I will try to save them, starting right now.” But according to the State Department cable, the process of deportation was already underway — and the UAE had notified Washington of its intent to “close this chapter for good.”
In the July 10 meeting, al-Zaabi told U.S. officials that two families had already been “successfully and safely” returned to Afghanistan in early July. He added that the remaining 25 individuals would be deported by Sunday, July 20, and that the UAE would seek safety assurances from the Islamic Emirate.
While Emirati officials claimed the initial returns were voluntary, two sources familiar with the matter disputed that account, telling Reuters that Afghan families were being pressured to sign “voluntary” deportation papers or face arrest and forced removal.
The State Department, White House, and UAE government did not respond to requests for comment.
The fate of the remaining Afghans in the UAE carries wider implications, particularly for more than 1,500 Afghan men, women, and children who remain in Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar under similar circumstances.
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High-level Kyrgyz delegation arrives in Kabul
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce announced on Tuesday that a high-level delegation from Kyrgyzstan has arrived in Kabul.
According to the ministry’s statement, the purpose of the delegation’s visit is to expand economic cooperation and increase trade and investment between Kyrgyzstan and Afghanistan.
The statement added that during the visit, the Kyrgyz delegation will meet with officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and participate in the Trade Communication Conference as well as bilateral meetings.
The delegation will also visit industrial facilities and various enterprises operating in Afghanistan.
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Russia calls for broad engagement with Afghan authorities
Russia has urged the international community to adopt a comprehensive and non-politicized approach toward Afghanistan, emphasizing dialogue, regional cooperation, and practical support to stabilize the country and prevent further security deterioration.
Speaking at a recent UN Security Council meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia, said that contrary to Western predictions following the withdrawal of foreign troops, Afghanistan did not collapse. He argued that despite ongoing sanctions, Afghan authorities are making efforts to address long-standing challenges and pursue regional cooperation aimed at building a self-reliant state, though he acknowledged the process would take time and require international support.
Nebenzia said Russia continues to back the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and supports initiatives such as the Doha Process, which promotes engagement with the Islamic Emirate and Afghanistan’s gradual reintegration into global affairs. He stressed that constructive dialogue with the Afghan authorities is essential and warned against what he described as pressure, ultimatums, or sanctions-driven approaches, saying these could harden positions and undermine UN efforts on the ground.
The Russian envoy said regional players, including members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), share the view that engagement is the only viable path forward.
He also called for progress on unfreezing Afghan assets and expanding development assistance, warning that failure to do so could lead to a further drawdown of the UN presence in the country.
On security, Nebenzia expressed concern about ongoing terrorist threats, particularly from Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), also known as Daesh, noting that the group continues to receive external funding and recruit foreign fighters, including individuals with combat experience from Syria and Iraq.
He also raised alarm over uncertainty surrounding weapons left behind by NATO forces and warned of the growing production of synthetic drugs, which he said is closely linked to terrorism.
Nebenzia said Russia supports dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid rising tensions linked to militant activity, urging both sides to expand cooperation, especially on counterterrorism.
He also highlighted the worsening socio-economic situation in Afghanistan and praised humanitarian agencies for continuing their work despite funding cuts. Russia, he said, remains engaged in providing assistance and expanding cooperation with Afghanistan in political, security, and economic fields.
The Russian envoy reiterated Moscow’s support for the rights of all Afghans and the formation of an inclusive government, calling for respect for fundamental freedoms, including access to education and employment, without discrimination.
Nebenzia concluded by urging the UN to engage with Afghanistan’s “real authorities” to help resolve the country’s challenges and support its reintegration into the international community.
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Afghanistan’s public health minister begins official visit to India
Afghanistan’s Minister of Public Health, Noor Jalal Jalali, has embarked on an official visit to India at the invitation of the Indian government, leading a delegation from the ministry.
In a statement, the Ministry of Public Health said the visit is aimed at strengthening health cooperation between the two countries, promoting the exchange of expertise, and coordinating joint health programs.
During the trip, Jalali is expected to hold meetings with Indian officials, particularly those from the health sector, and take part in a series of pre-arranged engagements.
Discussions will focus on capacity building for Afghan health workers, the import of standard medicines to Afghanistan, access to medical equipment, and other areas of cooperation.
The ministry said the visit is intended to open a new chapter in health collaboration between Afghanistan and India, with a focus on improving healthcare services and professional development.
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