Afghan Allies Still Waiting for the Safety Germany Promised
After the Taliban retook power on August 15, 2021, Berlin promised to bring Afghan staff to Germany.
Afghan allies who helped Germany in the country remain waiting for the safety Germany once promised. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged on August 26, 2021, that their safety would continue until all those for whom they were responsible in Afghanistan were safe. By June 2026, over 37,000 Afghan nationals had arrived in Germany since the Taliban took control.
However, not all received the promised assistance. Ahmad Samid, an audio engineer who worked for the Bundeswehr, received help, but Javad Niazi, who worked for the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, remains stuck in Peshawar, Pakistan. Over 600 Afghans are still in Peshawar and Kabul, desperately hoping to leave.
The new German government voided the resettlement programs in May 2025, leaving these individuals in a difficult situation. They cannot return to Afghanistan due to the risk of violent consequences, and Germany refuses to take them in. Some have received money to leave Germany, but many continue to hope for a way to safety.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
