With Western troops leaving Afghanistan, Afghan-Australians fear what could be around the corner
Afghan-Australians say they fear for loved ones back in their homeland now the United States and Australian forces are set to leave the war-torn country in the next few months.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would follow the US and withdraw its final troops from Afghanistan by September this year.
The Australian Hazara community members say their loved ones have been abandoned by the coalition forces that had “committed” to protect minorities in Afghanistan.
They fear a resurgent Taliban will step up their attacks against persecuted minority groups such as theirs.
“When the Taliban come back to power, there is no doubt that many [minorities] will leave Afghanistan,” Sydney-based Hazara Abdul Alizada told SBS News.
““Many people will be massacred and killed by the Taliban because, unfortunately, the Taliban didn’t change at all.” Mr. Alizada said his relatives had been holding out hope the troop withdrawals would not occur so soon.
“They were concerned about their future in Afghanistan. They will [now] be in danger in Afghanistan. Australia needs to do something for those people who supported them.”
