Around 8,000 Swedish soldiers took part in the peacekeeping operation in Afghanistan, which followed a US-led invasion that ousted the Islamist Taliban regime in 2001. The Swedes had a few hundred locally employed Afghans to help them.
There are still around 50 Afghans who worked for the Swedish Armed Forces left in the country. Many live in hiding in fear of being found by the Taliban.
Wanted to build a free Afghanistan
But several have also received help to get to safety in Sweden. One of them is Nasrin Nour, who today lives a safe family life with two small children in Norrköping.
– I was the first female interpreter who worked with the military teams. We went out on missions, I interpreted and was an adviser, she says.
Nasrin Nour felt that she contributed to building a free and democratic Afghanistan.
– It was very exciting and it was something I had always thought about, helping people and society.
In 2021, the international effort ended and the Taliban regained power.
Nasrin Nour is still in contact with colleagues who remain in the country. They live in hiding, afraid that the Taliban will find out that they were part of the international effort that was fighting the Taliban.
What do they risk?
– Death. Not just them but the whole family.
The government is looking into the issue
On two occasions, in 2014 and 2021, the Swedish government made special time-limited decisions that made it possible for those who were local employees of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan to come to Sweden. But since then there has been a stop, even though several remained in the country. Until now. In an interview with TV4 Nyheterna, the defense minister opens up about helping the last ones left.
– We are looking at the issue now within the government office. Then we get to analyze it and see if it also prompts a decision. We will return to the issue, says Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M).
How do you think Sweden has handled the issue of the Afghan interpreters?
– It is of course important that we take care of both the soldiers we send out but also people of foreign citizenship who have made important contributions to Sweden’s security.