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US claims 2,000 evacuated Afghans have links to terrorist groups
Joe Kent, Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), told a congressional committee that two thousand Afghans evacuated to the United States in 2021 are believed to have links to terrorist organizations.
Kent said these individuals are part of a group of 88,000 Afghans who entered the United States under the “Operation Allies Welcome” program following the collapse of the former Afghan government. According to him, these evacuees “were not properly vetted,” and the screening process was insufficient.
He also referred to the recent attack in Washington, D.C., in which an Afghan evacuee shot two National Guard soldiers, killing one and injuring the other. Kent said the attacker had also arrived in the United States through the Afghan evacuation effort.
The NCTC director added that U.S. security agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, are jointly investigating the two thousand Afghans identified as having suspected links to terrorist organizations. He said that in addition to Afghans, U.S. authorities have also identified 16,000 people from other countries who entered the United States despite having “possible ties” to terrorist groups.
These claims come as debates continue in Washington over how the Afghan evacuation was managed and the security implications that followed.
More than 1,200 Iranian nationals have returned home since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict, with many travelling through neighboring countries including Afghanistan and Armenia, according to reports.
Citing figures from Tasnim News Agency, a total of 1,262 Iranians have been repatriated from the United Arab Emirates since hostilities began. The returns come amid tightening travel restrictions and disrupted regional transport links.
Iranian authorities have formally requested that the UAE facilitate additional evacuation efforts, including the organisation of sea transport and access to a dedicated airstrip to expedite the return of citizens still stranded abroad.
Earlier on Wednesday, Dubai-based airline Emirates indicated on its website that Iranian nationals were no longer permitted to enter or transit through the UAE, further complicating travel options for those seeking to return home.
The developments come as regional airspace disruptions and security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict have significantly curtailed commercial travel routes across parts of the Middle East. With direct flights limited or suspended, many Iranians have been forced to rely on indirect and often complex routes through neighboring countries.
Countries such as Afghanistan and Armenia have emerged as key transit points due to their geographic proximity and continued land access, allowing travelers to bypass restricted air corridors.
The situation reflects broader challenges facing civilians in conflict-affected regions, where shifting aviation policies, border controls, and security risks have made cross-border movement increasingly difficult.
Authorities continue to explore alternative evacuation channels as demand for safe return routes remains high.
The Land Grabbing Prevention Commission has verified and secured more than 27.5 million jeribs of public grazing land in three provinces across Afghanistan over the past year, the Ministry of Justice said on Thursday.
The commission reported that extensive surveys were carried out in Faryab, Badghis, and Badakhshan, resulting in the formal identification and registration of over 27.57 million jeribs of pasture land.
According to the findings, more than 9.3 million jeribs were confirmed in Faryab, over 4.1 million jeribs in Badghis, and upwards of 14 million jeribs in Badakhshan. The grazing lands are located across provincial centers as well as all districts within these provinces.
The commission emphasized that survey and verification teams are currently working in other provinces to assess additional grazing lands.
Once the assessment process is completed in those areas, the lands will also be formally recorded in the land bank, ensuring legal protection and proper management.
Two Afghan nationals have drowned while fishing off the coast of County Clare in Ireland, local media reported. The victims have been identified as two brothers who had been living in the city of Limerick for several years.
The brothers, Tajuddin Safi, in his 30s, and Salahuddin Safi, in his 20s, reportedly fell into the sea while fishing from rocks in a coastal area known for its dangerous conditions. Both men lost their lives at the scene.
According to reports, the incident occurred at a location known as the “Blue Pool” in Poulnasherry Bay near Doonbeg, an area frequently described as hazardous due to strong waves and unpredictable sea conditions.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at around 2:15 p.m., after which a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched. The operation involved the Irish Coast Guard, a rescue helicopter, lifeboat crews, and local emergency responders.
Despite efforts by rescue teams, the bodies of the two brothers were recovered from the water approximately two hours later. Authorities said weather and sea conditions at the time made the operation particularly difficult.
The two brothers had moved from Afghanistan to Ireland about a decade ago and were described by members of the local community as respectful, hardworking, and well-integrated individuals.
Local officials in Ireland have described the incident as deeply tragic and have renewed warnings about the dangers of fishing in exposed coastal areas such as the Blue Pool. Calls have also been made for increased awareness and safety measures.
The Afghan community in Limerick, along with local residents and officials, has expressed deep sorrow over the loss, offering condolences to the family and remembering the brothers as kind and valued members of society.
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