The Situation of Afghan Allies at Camp As Sayliyah After US Policy Changes

Apr 27, 2026, 02:28

Introduction

About 1,100 former Afghan allies and their families are currently living at Camp As Sayliyah, a former US military base in Qatar. These individuals are facing an uncertain future regarding where they will permanently live.

Main Body

The people at the camp were evacuated because they worked with US forces before the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. The facility was meant to be a temporary center for those moving to the United States. However, progress stopped after the Trump administration paused refugee admissions in January 2025 and suspended all Afghan immigration cases in November. According to the advocacy group AfghanEvac, the US government is considering a plan that asks residents to choose between returning to Afghanistan or resettling in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While the US State Department has not officially confirmed the DRC as the destination, it claimed that moving to a third country would ensure safety. In an open letter dated April 22, residents criticized this proposal, arguing that the DRC is unstable and that returning to Afghanistan would put them at risk of death from the Taliban. In contrast, the Afghan foreign ministry asserted that returning citizens would be safe. However, United Nations data from November to January reported 29 illegal detentions and six cases of torture against former officials and security staff in Afghanistan. To encourage people to leave, the State Department confirmed in February that it offered financial payments—$4,500 for the main applicant and $1,200 for each dependent. As a result, approximately 150 people have already left the camp. Furthermore, residents reported feeling unsafe after debris from military explosions hit a residential unit during regional conflicts in March and April.

Conclusion

The 1,100 residents of Camp As Sayliyah remain in a difficult transition period. Their future now depends on whether the US administration chooses third-country resettlement or offers financial incentives for them to return home.

Vocabulary Learning

admissions (n.)

the act of being allowed to enter or be accepted錄取；入境

Example:The university's admissions process is competitive.

debris (n.)

small fragments of something broken or destroyed碎片；殘骸

Example:Debris from the explosion landed on the residential unit.

evacuated (v.)

to remove people from a dangerous place撤離；疏散

Example:The camp was evacuated after the explosion.

incentives (n.)

something that encourages or motivates a person to do something誘因；激勵

Example:The government offered financial incentives to encourage people to leave.

resettlement (n.)

the act of moving people to a new place to live permanently重新安置

Example:The refugees are awaiting resettlement in a third country.

Sentence Learning

About 1,100 former Afghan allies and their families are currently living at Camp As Sayliyah, a former US military base in Qatar.

Relative Clause: The phrase 'a former US military base in Qatar' is a non‑restrictive relative clause that gives additional information about Camp As Sayliyah.關係子句: 子句「a former US military base in Qatar」為 Camp As Sayliyah 提供額外資訊，屬於非限制性關係子句。

The people at the camp were evacuated because they worked with US forces before the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Passive Voice: 'were evacuated' is a passive construction showing that the people were acted upon by an unspecified agent.被動語態: 動詞短語 'were evacuated' 為被動語態，表示人們受到了未指明的行動。

According to the advocacy group AfghanEvac, the US government is considering a plan that asks residents to choose between returning to Afghanistan or resettling in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Relative Clause: The clause 'that asks residents to choose between returning to Afghanistan or resettling in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)' modifies 'plan', adding detail about what the plan entails.關係子句: 子句「that asks residents to choose between returning to Afghanistan or resettling in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)」修飾 'plan'，說明計畫內容。

While the US State Department has not officially confirmed the DRC as the destination, it claimed that moving to a third country would ensure safety.

Linking Word (Contrast): 'While' introduces a contrast between the lack of confirmation and the claim that moving to a third country would ensure safety.連接詞（對比）: 'While' 引入對比，表明雖未確認目的地，但聲稱轉移至第三國可確保安全。

In contrast, the Afghan foreign ministry asserted that returning citizens would be safe.

Linking Word (Contrast): 'In contrast' signals a contrast with previous statements, indicating that the Afghan foreign ministry's view differs from earlier claims.連接詞（對比）: 'In contrast' 表示與前述說法相對立，說明阿富汗外交部的觀點與先前說法不同。