Over 100,000 Afghan Refugees Return from Iran in One Week Amid Residency

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

HERAT — More than 100,000 Afghan refugees have returned home from Iran over the past week through the Islam Qala border crossing, according to the High Commission for Refugee Affairs.

Mawlawi Ahmadullah Muttaqi, head of Information and Culture in Herat, confirmed that over 60,000 Afghans arrived back in just the last two days alone, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the returns.

Authorities cited the expiration of Iranian residency permits, economic pressures, and a worsening environment for Afghan refugees in Iran as primary reasons for the mass repatriation.

Mawlawi Adam Khan Saad, head of Refugee Affairs in Herat, announced that the province has allocated 2,500 jeribs of land to provide emergency shelter, with plans underway for both temporary and permanent housing solutions for the returning families.

At the Islam Qala crossing, returning refugees are being offered food, water, and medical services. Additionally, 300 free buses have been arranged to transport returnees daily to their respective home districts.

In Nimroz province, Engineer Hamid Ibrahim, head of the provincial refugee office, reported that 600 Afghan families crossed back through the Silk Bridge crossing just last night. All local service committees have been directed to ensure immediate support, essential supplies, and protection for these returning families.

Meanwhile, some returnees have voiced grievances about alleged mistreatment by Iranian authorities and appealed to Afghan officials to negotiate for the recovery of property and belongings they claim were confiscated during their stay in Iran.

The Afghan government has pledged to continue coordinating relief and resettlement efforts to address the challenges faced by these vulnerable populations as they rebuild their lives back home.

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