Second group of Afghans in Kosovo arrives

In Kosovo, the second group of Afghan citizens who have been evacuated by Kabul over the past few days has arrived, reports Radio Free Europe.

As it becomes known, this group is made up of Afghans who worked with NATO forces in Afghanistan.

It is not yet known how many of the second group of Afghans to be accommodated in Kosovo until long-term documentation is adjusted in the United States.

In Kosovo, the first 111 Afghan citizens who fled their country have already been sheltered after the Taliban took over. Of them, 55 are women and children, while others are men. They arrived in Pristina on 29 August.

Minister of Internal Affairs in the Government of Kosovo, Jjelal Svecla, had declared that about 2,000 Afghan citizens are expected to come to Kosovo.

Back Balaj from the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (QKSS) tells Radio Free Europe that Kosovo has technical capacities for housing.

“The sheltering of Afghan citizens from Kosovo is a fair decision, not only from the moral and humanitarian aspect that Kosovo is extending the helping hand for people in need in time of crises, but also reconfirms Kosovo's strategic position towards NATO allies”, Balaj says.

Weeks ago, the Government of Kosovo has indicated it will temporarily accommodate Afghan citizens who have worked with American and NATO forces or even with foreign organisations.

Kosovo authorities have said that under the laws, Afghans will be offered temporary housing for up to a year.

Hundreds of Afghans have also been sheltered in Albania and North Macedonia.

The United States on August 30th has completed its full withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of military presence there.

The country is already under Taliban control, and many Afghans have a vague future under Taliban rule.