Afghan interpreter tells East Idaho News the Taliban will kill him if he can’t leave the country

“I’m scared of the Taliban. If they know that I am an interpreter, they will kill me right now or later,” Abdul said during a phone interview. “I’m really in danger, and I’m thinking about my family. The Taliban – they claim that they’re searching houses and looking for government workers – especially interpreters. As they get them, they will kill them or torture them.”

Abdul was born and raised in Afghanistan. He began interpreting with the goal of moving to the United States. He applied for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, designed to reward Afghan interpreters. Multiple letters of recommendation were written on his behalf from high-ranking military officials as early as 2008. Abdul waited for years but never heard anything.

Aid groups estimate 80,000 Afghans have requested SIV applications, according to The Washington Post, and applicants can “reasonably expect” to wait four years for a visa.

“When I succeeded in (my) exam, I was so happy. I started working so one day I would be in America,” Abdul said. “But in this situation, I’m still here. Everyone is asking me, ‘You’ve worked for the USA for several years. You’re still here. Your friends – they’re in America. Why?’ I said, ‘I don’t know. I’m so pissed off. I’m so worried.'”

Abdul was at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Monday and observed the chaotic scene. Afghans clung to a U.S. military aircraft as it taxied and took off. Some plunged to their deaths, and at least seven people were killed.

RELATED | Afghans fall from US Military planes after clinging to aircrafts taking off, 7 killed in airport chaos

There was a constant barrage of gunfire and Adbul witnessed a man being rushed to the hospital in a police truck after being shot.

“I saw a crowd of people. They tried to get inside of the airport and the Taliban – they tried to stop them and they’re firing to go away,” Abdul recalled. “In front of the gate, there were a lot of kids, so I couldn’t get inside. (I went home) and when I am inside of my house, when I heard somebody knocking. For a second I thought it was the Taliban. (I thought) they’re coming for me and they’re getting me out of the house.”

Abdul has said very little to his 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-son about the events that have unfolded over the past few days. He does not want to scare them, so his family avoids talking about the Taliban.

The Pentagon said Monday it had prepared to bring 22,000 SIV recipients to the United States, where they will be temporarily housed on military bases. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the military hopes to evacuate up to 5,000 people per day, with a deadline of withdrawing all U.S. troops by Aug. 31.

Abdul feels the United States has betrayed and forgotten him and others who have helped military operations since 2001.

“I’m saying America did not fulfill its promise. I’m saying that. They promised and (said) they will keep their promise, but they didn’t. You see, I am still here and the savage Taliban – today, tomorrow, one day … if I stay here, they will kill me,” he said. “They can knock on my door and get inside my house. They could capture me and torture me and kill me in front of my kids, my wife, my brothers, my sisters.”

Despite the terror, Abdul remains hopeful that he and his family will be able to leave Afghanistan soon and begin a new life. He says Americans “are good people,” but after what he has witnessed, he does not trust politicians.

“When you promise something to anyone, try to keep that promise and try to do something for them. You promised me, you were for me, I saved your ass. But I am still here,” he said.

[JenKelly]

Heartbreaking.
They’ll kill that man and take his wife and children and do despicable things to them. God help them

[ivpushh]

Thanks for sharing the truth Praying for his safety

[gloriamarshall]

They need to get him and his wife & children out of there.

[cherylf.]

BRING this man, his wife, two children and his immediate family “on a safe plane “ out of Afghanistan! NOW!!!

OMGoodness, HELP these interpreters and their families, get them out of there, before it’s to late!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[dimplesMcGillicuddy]

Prayers are the best and only thing I can do right now. Those people need to be out of there. God help them and all those we don’t even know about.

[realpocahontas]

Praying for you Abdul. And your fam. Stay safe my friend ❤️

Nate, thanks for being the best dang reporter in the country!

[aliciarrrrrr]

Prayers for the all. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us the truth!

[bluedragonfly]

Our government failed them and we should help these people.

[beachgirl]

God bless you . Praying for you and your family. Praying promises are kept to you 🙏🏻

[ChristinaB]

Oh man, I got goosebumps listening to that poor man! 😢 Nate, you are so empathic. That's what makes you such a good journalist!

[jeanshibler]

God bless this man, prayers for him and his family to get out safely!!!❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[DoctorSuezz]

Oh my goodness.... Prayers are on the way.

[heavychevy]

Nate, thank you for sharing that amazing interview. People here in America need to realize and understand that there are hundreds, even thousands of people (not just in Kabul) just like your interviewee, all trapped in Afghanistan after helping our country, and will now be hunted down and killed like animals. Please keep all these brave, heroic people in your thoughts and prayers. And may God Bless all the Servicemen and women who are assisting getting these hero's out of that terrible place.

[annievanniekerk]

This is such a heartbreaking story! I’ve been following your channel since the start of the Lorry Vallow Daybell case. I live in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. You are such an important person to the world. I don’t know if you know it! Everything you do and touch you do with grace and humbleness. Thank you for always reporting on the special cases that needs to be brought to the front and the world. Good luck with the future ❤️🌹

[wesleyrodgers]

Help them for our own self interest as well. Because the next time we need help..

[believeroftheword]

Praying with urgency for this man. May God forgive us for what we have done.

[deborahjaneapperley]

These people have put their lives on the line and should be welcomed in the USA & UK . The Taliban will not keep their false promises. Get the families out safely.

[jackiem]

My heart is broke I have no words left. God please have mercy.

[suitcasesal]

Nate, you are a very good reporter. I found you by looking into the Daybell case but now I will follow your reports on other subjects too.

[SacSynths_Jack_Z]

Please keep us updated on his and his family's situation.