Abbas served in Afghanistan’s military for 12 years, including as a special forces commando, and fought alongside American, Australian, and British troops in combat operations across approximately 20 provinces. He participated in night-time helicopter missions in the Khas Uruzgan district in late 2011 and was wounded twice during a firefight in Laghman district, receiving medical treatment at Bagram hospital operated by US forces. During his service, he developed deep bonds with the foreign forces he served alongside, who assured him they would not abandon Afghan soldiers.
When Kabul fell five years ago, the situation changed dramatically for those who had served Afghanistan’s republican government and fought against the Taliban. Former soldiers became targets of violent retribution, with abandoned US military databases containing personal and biometric data being used to locate and harm those who served alongside western forces. Abbas was forced to destroy most of his documentation and flee Afghanistan with his family, eventually crossing the border into Iran. In Iran, he faces severe difficulties as an undocumented refugee, including exploitation by landlords, dangerous illegal work, and ongoing threats from Taliban groups that continue to pursue him across borders.
Abbas applied for protection through Australia’s Locally Engaged Employee program, having fought directly alongside Australian troops during their mission in Afghanistan. His application was rejected on the grounds that he had not been in a direct employment relationship with the Australian Defence Force, despite working alongside them in partnership on operations. Australia’s LEE program, which ran until 2023, certified 2,059 Afghans but only 1,208 have reached Australia according to government figures. Government reviews found the program was hindered by delays, confusion, and excessive administrative burdens on applicants.
The broader situation for Afghan former soldiers and government workers remains dire. Recent executive orders by the US halted Afghan refugee resettlement, leaving over 1,000 stranded in Qatar and hundreds of thousands stuck in neighboring countries. Germany’s government initially sought to renege on resettlement commitments before being blocked by courts, while Britain faced scrutiny over a massive data breach exposing thousands of Afghans to danger. Advocates note that despite Australia’s provision of humanitarian assistance and approval of recent LEE applications, thousands of people who supported western missions remain at risk and continue waiting for protection, with many fearing for their lives daily.
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