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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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Afghanistan now has unified central government: IEA defense minister
Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate, says that Afghanistan currently has a unified central government, and that no groups engaging in destructive activities are present in the country. He added that they will not allow anyone to undermine the country’s security.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defense, Mujahid made these remarks at a graduation ceremony for commandos of the Special Forces Division. The ceremony was attended by Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Minister of Interior; several cabinet ministers; foreign ambassadors and military attachés; special representatives; and a number of officials and military personnel.
Addressing the commandos, Yaqoob Mujahid said: “In the service you perform, make the pleasure of Almighty Allah your sole intention, because Almighty Allah will reward you for such an intention in this world and the hereafter. There is now a unified central government in the country, and no groups engaging in destructive activities are present. We will also not allow anyone to undermine security.”
He also added: “I assure our people that these forces will defend the lives, property, and territory of their beloved country with full courage and wisdom. I tell all foreign countries that Afghanistan is now secure, and there is no enemy in this country, whether from within or outside, that poses a threat to others.”
At the ceremony, Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani also said: “For half a century, Afghanistan did not have an independent army. However, now, it has an organized army and other security forces. You are not a ceremonial army, nor do you operate to serve the interests of others; rather, you are an organized and independent army. Although we may be materially weak, we are stronger than others in terms of morale and spirituality. We must maintain high morale, avoid acting emotionally in military affairs, and respond to the enemy at the appropriate time. We are not a threat to anyone; rather, we are defenders of our own land.”
It is worth noting that 1,000 young commandos of the Special Forces Division of the Ministry of Defense graduated from the eighth training course after completing six months of professional, ideological, and commando training.
During the ceremony, the graduating commandos, in cooperation with the Air Force, demonstrated coordinated practical and military exercises using various types of unmanned aircraft.
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Baradar approves action plan for establishing special economic zones
The action plan for establishing special economic zones across the country was approved on Wednesday by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
According to a decree issued by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate, these special economic zones will be established in the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kandahar, Herat, Paktia, and Kunduz.
Under the plan, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in cooperation with other relevant ministries and government agencies, will identify the land required for these zones, determine the necessary sectoral activities and services, and create the conditions needed to attract investment.
The establishment of these special economic zones is aimed at attracting new investments, achieving a relative balance between exports and imports, and expanding production activities in a suitable environment, paving the way for a new phase of economic development in the country.
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Russian deputy prime minister to visit Kabul with high-level economic delegation
The visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk is scheduled to visit Kabul on Thursday, leading a high-level economic delegation, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.
According to a statement by the ministry, the visit aims to strengthen economic and trade relations between Afghanistan and Russia, explore investment opportunities and discuss potential joint economic projects.
The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for officials from both countries to discuss ways of expanding bilateral economic cooperation and identifying new areas for trade and investment.
The ministry did not provide further details about the delegation’s programme or the specific projects expected to be discussed during the visit.
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