ASAD ABAD (SW): Local elders, religious scholars and provincial council members in eastern Kunar province have lamented the Iranian government’s policy of allegedly exploiting Afghan refugees for its strategic aims.
Hundreds of Kunar elders gathered in the provincial capital Asad Abad on Tuesday. They asserted that Iran has been exploiting the vulnerabilities of Afghan refugees. It was also mentioned that the Iranian government compels the Afghan refugees to go and fight in Syria and other Arab states on behalf of Tehran.
Najibullah Haqyar, a local religious leader told Salam Watandar that Iran was using the refugees for its strategic gains. Ruhullah, a local civil society leader expressed similar views about the Tehran government exploiting the religious sentiments of Afghans. He claimed that up to 20 thousand Afghans have been sent to different fronts.
Qari Syed Ahmad, who also attended the Tuesday’s gathering, told Salam Watandar that Iran sends those refugees to the wars that do not possess legal documents. He added that the refugees get up to $ 1000 a month for their services.
According to Salam Watandar’s recent findings, Iran has been using Afghan refugees for its strategic gains in Syria.
Though Iranian officials based in Afghanistan have denied such reports, it is however said that Iran in cooperation with Hezbullah, has sent Afghan refugees as well as some Pakistani Shiite residents to Syria to fight against Bashar Assad’s opponents.
Some reports suggest that a number of Afghan refugees join the fight in Syria so that they get legal documents to stay in Iran.
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