Latest news with #Helmand
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Afghans who helped America during the war plead for an exemption from Trump travel ban
U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Zachary Bennett talks with Afghan interpreter who goes by HM, during a joint patrol near Faqairan village, Nawa district, in Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley) ISLAMABAD — Afghans who worked for the U.S. during its war against the Taliban urged U.S. President Donald Trump Thursday to exempt them from a travel ban that could lead to them being deported to Afghanistan, where they say they will face persecution. Their appeal came hours after Trump announced a U.S. entry ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. It affects thousands of Afghans who fled Taliban rule and had been approved for resettlement through a U.S. program assisting people at risk due to their work with the American government, media organizations, and humanitarian groups. But Trump suspended that program in January, leaving Afghans stranded in several locations, including Pakistan and Qatar. Pakistan, meanwhile, has been deporting foreigners it says are living in the country illegally, mostly Afghan, adding to the refugees' sense of peril. 'This is heartbreaking and sad news,' said one Afghan, who worked closely with U.S. agencies before the Taliban returned to power in 2021. He spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue, fearing Taliban reprisals and potential arrest by Pakistani authorities. He said the travel ban on an estimated 20,000 Afghans in Pakistan could encourage the government to begin deporting Afghans awaiting resettlement in the U.S. 'President Trump has shattered hopes,' he told The Associated Press. He said his life would be at risk if he returned to Afghanistan with his family because he previously worked for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul on public awareness campaigns promoting education. 'You know the Taliban are against the education of girls. America has the right to shape its immigration policy, but it should not abandon those who stood with it, risked their life, and who were promised a good future.' Another Afghan, Khalid Khan, said the new restrictions could expose him and thousands of others to arrest in Pakistan. He said police had previously left him and his family alone at the request of the U.S. Embassy. 'I worked for the U.S. military for eight years, and I feel abandoned,. Every month, Trump is making a new rule,' said Khan. He fled to Pakistan three years ago. 'I don't know what to say. Returning to Afghanistan will jeopardize my daughter's education. You know the Taliban have banned girls from attending school beyond sixth grade. My daughter will remain uneducated if we return.' He said it no longer mattered whether people spoke out against Trump's policies. 'So long as Trump is there, we are nowhere. I have left all of my matters to Allah.' There was no immediate comment on the travel ban from the Taliban-run government. Pakistan previously said it was working with host countries to resettle Afghans. Nobody was available to comment on Trump's latest executive order. Munir Ahmed, The Associated Press
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Brit war hero who won Military Cross aged 18 for bravery saving wounded commander during Taliban ambush in Afghanistan is selling medal because it is a 'painful reminder' of trauma
A hero soldier who is Britain's youngest known Military Cross recipient in 80 years is selling his prized gallantry medal because it is a 'painful reminder' of his time in Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Alexander Kennedy was just 18 years old when he displayed 'exceptional bravery' during a Taliban ambush to save the life of his severely wounded platoon commander. The rifleman's unit came under intense fire from multiple enemy positions during a patrol at Garmsir in Helmand Province in 2009. Lance Corporal Kennedy, of 2nd Battalion, Mercian Regiment, crawled over to Captain Andy Bell who had been shot in both legs to give him first aid. He was knocked to the ground himself by a bullet which struck his light machine gun - leaving him temporarily blind and deaf. But he quickly regained his senses and continued to tend to Capt Bell in the exposed position under relentless fire from at least nine enemy combatants. At the same time, he directed covering fire and called in armoured support to enable Capt Bell to be evacuated from danger and survive. Lance Corporal Kennedy engaged the enemy with accurate machine gun fire which drew their attention away from his injured superior. His Military Cross citation for June 8, 2009 reads: 'Private Kennedy was point man during a patrol in Garmsir, Helmand province. 'He came under fire from multiple Taliban positions. 'His platoon commander, Captain Andy Bell, was shot in the leg. 'Kennedy was hit by a bullet that smashed into his light machine gun, knocking him to the ground, temporarily blinding and deafening him. 'Nevertheless, he continued to fight, gave first aid to the officer, and called in armoured support. 'He undoubtedly saved the life of his platoon commander, and without thought for his own safety, continued to engage the enemy and rally his fellow soldiers. 'Had this not happened the multiple would have taken many more casualties. 'All this was done by a private soldier with six months experience in the Army. Lance Corporal Kennedy (second from right) with (from left to right) Major Neil Grant, Corporal Craig Adkin and Captain Craig Brown at Buckingham Palace on the day they were all received the Military Cross for their respective heroism, July 9, 2010 'Kennedy acted with a level of composure and situational awareness above that expected of a private soldier. 'It is for this demonstration of selfless bravery and a cool head under fire that Kennedy is highly deserved of public recognition.' Lance Corporal Kennedy, originally from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, received his MC from the then Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace on July 9, 2010. At the time, he downplayed his heroism and said he had just been 'doing his job'. He said in a 2010 interview: 'I don't feel like a hero - that title should really go to those who go out to Afghanistan and don't make it back.' He remained in the Army for a few more years before returning to civilian life. Lance Corporal Kennedy, now aged in his early 30s, is selling his medals and the shrapnel-covered helmet he was wearing that day at Aubreys Auctioneers, of Guildford, Surrey. The auctioneers say his medals had become a 'painful reminder' of the horrors he lived in Afghanistan which had left him with PTSD. In the 20 years that British troops were deployed in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, 457 UK armed forces personnel were killed. Lance Corporal Kennedy's medals are estimated at £20,000 to £30,000. Aubrey Dawson, managing director at Aubreys, said: 'L/Corp Kennedy has suffered with PTSD and, though proud of their meaning, his medals are a painful reminder of quite a difficult time. 'Letting them go is not a rejection but a step toward healing. 'He would like to move on with his life and hopes his medals go to a new home and to someone who will cherish them. 'What he did was an incredible act of bravery for someone of any age, but particularly somebody who was barely 18 - just remarkable.' Lance Corporal Kennedy is believed to be the youngest Military Cross recipient since the Second World War. His medal group consists of The Military Cross; The Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan; and the N.A.T.O. Medal 1994. The sale takes place on May 28.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
SAS soldier ‘slit wounded Afghan prisoner's throat' in ‘pattern of killings' claims BBC probe
AN SAS soldier slit an Afghan prisoner's throat, a BBC investigation claimed. It was part of a pattern of killings that included shooting a handcuffed child and fighters in their beds, Panorama has alleged. Veterans claimed that killing 'became routine' in southern Afghanistan. A judge-led inquiry is examining claims the SAS killed over 50 prisoners in night raids in Afghanistan. In one incident an Afghan man had been wounded. An SAS soldier – described as a psychopath – told comrades not to shoot him again because he wanted to 'finish him off' with a knife. A former comrade said: 'The officer shot someone and he told the officer not to shoot him again because he wanted to go and finish the wounded guy off with his knife. 'He wanted to blood his knife.' Another soldier claimed troops 'handcuffed a young boy and shot him'. He added: 'He was clearly a child, not even close to fighting age.' The SAS had orders to destroy the Taliban's bomb-making network as IEDs were killing and maiming British soldiers almost every day in deadly Helmand Province. The MoD it was 'fully committed' to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan. It added: 'It is not appropriate for the MOD to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the Statutory Inquiry, or to speculate on outcomes. 'Anyone can provide evidence to the Inquiry, no matter where in the world they are. 'If any potential evidence is – or has been – uncovered by BBC Panorama, we would urge them to get in touch with the Inquiry team and the Police.' 1
