NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Amidst the incredible confusion of America and its allies pulling out of Afghanistan, NATO has left its contractors in the lurch in an extremely unprofessional manner . At the time the removal of the American forces was done in such a level of confidentiality that none of the workers had any idea. Most government officials had come to work as normal and were going about their day, having coffee and getting ready for their day when the news hit.

Nato contractors now feared for their lives. They had been contracted as security personnel or journalists etc. and there was an immediate fear for their lives and an integral need to get them out of the Country. It was here that an incredible amount of disrespect and unprofessionalism was shown to their contractors. Journalists and other contractors found themselves in safe houses in other countries. Awaiting news for months on end on the next step in their lives. Some were scattered all around the world in countries like Kosovo awaiting word from NATO.

Journalist Deepa Parent, spoke to Radio Islam from Barcelona Spain, with regards to a NATO contractor by the name of Moheeb. When the Taliban began door to door searches, he had no choice but to flee Afghanistan on foot.

He had tried to reach out to NATO desperately and tried to get travel documents for his family to no avail. After years of being in constant contact via email – there was suddenly no response. He sent between fifteen to twenty emails and after an initial response to await further instruction- there was no response. He was left with no assistance, and this has shed light on the poor management of NATO in the evacuation process.

Describing it as a debacle, Deepa highlights that NATO has in their official statement focused on the mistakes that occurred and the manner in which to avoid this if the future. However, whilst they are looking at the future, many NATO contractors still are in different safe houses and await any contact with their contacts within NATO.

Listen to the full podcast here