Did Over 30,000 Afghan Refugees Return from Iran in One Day?

Kabul, June 26 (NationPress) More than 30,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland from Iran through the Islam Qala border crossing located in western Herat, making this one of the most significant mass repatriations in recent times, according to a local official.

In light of this substantial return, all essential supplies, including water, food, and immediate medical assistance, have been made available for the returnees, stated Mawlawi Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the provincial director of the Information and Culture Department.

Afghanistan has two primary border crossing points with Iran: one in the western Herat province and another in Nimroz province. Recently, both locations have experienced a notable surge in returning refugees.

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 individuals and around 300 families are crossing back into Afghanistan daily through the Pul-e-Abresham border in Nimroz province, as reported by the provincial director of refugees and repatriation to Xinhua last week.

Currently, nearly 7 million Afghan refugees, the majority of whom are undocumented, are residing abroad, with the largest populations in Iran and Pakistan, according to Xinhua news agency.

On Wednesday, a total of 1,685 Afghan families, comprising 7,474 individuals, made their way back to Afghanistan from neighboring Iran and Pakistan, according to the High Commission for Addressing Returnees' Problems.

The returnees entered Afghanistan via multiple border points, including the Torkham border in eastern Nangarhar, the Spin Boldak border in southern Kandahar, the Islam Qala border in western Herat, and the Pul-e-Abresham border in western Nimroz, as noted by the commission.

This commission offers temporary shelters, sustenance, water, medical care, and transportation assistance for the returnees to their provinces.

Authorities from both nations have urged undocumented foreign nationals to terminate their illegal stay and return to their native lands.

The Taliban administration has consistently encouraged Afghan refugees to cease their life abroad and return home to aid in the reconstruction of their war-torn nation.

Earlier on June 22, local media outlet Tolonews reported that approximately 10,000 Afghan refugees were departing from Iran daily to return to their homeland due to ongoing war and insecurity in the Middle Eastern nation.

"Recently, due to the conflict and instability in Iran, there has been an uptick in refugees returning. Between 8,000 to 10,000 individuals are utilizing the Islam Qala crossing in western Herat province each day," cited Abdul Rahim Rahmani, deputy director of Border Affairs for Returnees and Refugees at the Islam Qala crossing point.

Simultaneously, thousands of Afghan refugees—estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 individuals and around 300 families—are also making their journey back home via Nimroz province, according to local officials.