367 Afghan Families Forced Back Across Four Border Crossings
Taliban authorities said 367 Afghan families, comprising 1,881 people, entered Afghanistan yesterday through various border routes, as the forced return of migrants continues amid warnings from humanitarian agencies about the wide-ranging needs of returnees.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban administration, said in a statement on Wednesday, 21 August, that 233 families, or 1,243 people, entered Afghanistan through the Torkham crossing in Nangarhar province.
According to him, 43 families, comprising 263 people, crossed through the Spin Boldak crossing in Kandahar province, 69 families, or 275 people, entered via the Silk Bridge in Nimroz province, and 22 families, comprising 100 people, arrived through the Islam Qala route in Herat province.
In recent months, following an intensification in the forced and voluntary return of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, thousands of families have returned to Afghanistan through various border crossings.
These returns come as humanitarian agencies have previously warned of shortages of shelter, food, health services and livelihood opportunities for returning families. Torkham, Spin Boldak, Islam Qala and Silk Bridge are among the main crossings used by returning migrants entering Afghanistan.
