The second group of Afghan citizens, who were evacuated from Kabul during the past days, has arrived in Kosovo.
As it is known, this group is also composed of Afghans who have worked with NATO forces in Afghanistan.
The number of the second group of Afghans sheltering in Kosovo is still unknown, until the documentation for long-term stay in the United States is adjusted.
The first 111 Afghan citizens, who fled their country after the Taliban took control, have already taken refuge in Kosovo. Of them, 55 are women and children, while the rest are men. They arrived in Pristina on August 29.
The Minister of Internal Affairs in the Government of Kosovo, Xhelal Sveçla, has stated that around 2.000 Afghan citizens are expected to come to Kosovo.
Shpat Balaj from the Kosovar Center for Security Studies (KKSS), tells Radio Free Europe that Kosovo has the technical capacity for housing them.
"The sheltering of Afghan citizens from Kosovo is a right decision, not only from the moral and humanitarian aspect that Kosovo is extending a helping hand to people in need in times of crisis, but it also reaffirms Kosovo's strategic positioning vis-à-vis NATO allies ", says Balaj.
A week ago, the Government of Kosovo has announced that it will temporarily house Afghan citizens who have worked with the American and NATO forces or even with foreign organizations.
The Kosovar authorities have said that according to the laws, the Afghans will be offered temporary housing for up to one year.
Hundreds of Afghans have also taken refuge in Albania and North Macedonia.
The United States on August 30 completed its full withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of military presence there.
The country is already under the control of the Taliban and many Afghans are uncertain about their future under Taliban rule./REL
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