Parliament Fuming After Report of Iran Recruiting Afghans to Syria

10 years ago | Posted in: Afghanistan, Latest Politics News | 570 Views

A report of Afghan immigrants in Iran being recruited and paid to join pro-government forces in the Syrian civil war sparked outrage at Parliament in Kabul this week.

Based on an investigations, the Iranian government, often through proxies, has paid $500 to impoverished Afghan immigrants in Iran to join their paramilitary forces in Syria fighting in favor of President Bashar al-Assad.

MPs on Saturday claimed Iran was exploiting the desperation of Afghans living in Iran.

“Iran is taking advantage of their poverty and is sending them to fight in Syria,” Bamyan MP Safora Ilkhani said. “We condemn this action of Iran and we are strongly against it.”

Iran and Afghan relations have frayed at times over the issue of Afghan immigrants and refugees. Afghan officials have often complained of mistreatment and neglect, particularly in the case of refugees. But most recently, tensions heightened after Iran executed a number of Afghan drug smugglers against the wishes of the Kabul government.

Kunduz MP Shukria Paikan on Saturday was incensed by the report. “Weren’t the previous cruelties, such as torture, hanging, imprisonment and addiction enough?”

“Today, they are sending our youth to fight their battle in Syria for them,” Paikan said.

All together, MPs were adamant that the Afghan government further investigate the matter.

“It is Afghan government’s responsibility to obtain documents and evidence of this matter and talk with the Iranian government to prevent it,” Balkh MP Ahmad Farhad Azimi said.

The report of Afghans in Iran being recruited to fight in Syria originated from a Wall Street Journal investigation. The report stated that in return of $500 per month and education opportunities for their children, Afghan immigrants have been hired to fight against anti-government groups in Syria.

Afghan religious leaders based in Qum have since confirmed the accuracy of the WSJ report.

Tolonews

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