US Negotiates with African, Asian Countries for Afghan Refugees in Qatar Camp

The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is negotiating with two African countries and one Asian country to accept more than 1,000 Afghan refugees stuck in Qatar's Al Siliya camp near Doha.

The camp, costing over $10 million per month, houses over 1,100 Afghan refugees whose relocation remains unresolved after unsuccessful efforts with Arab and Islamic nations. Qatari officials have demanded its immediate closure. The U.S. State Department announced plans to shut it down on 11 Hamal, but no host country has agreed to take in the refugees.

A U.S. official told the Journal that attempts to place the refugees with closer Arab and Islamic countries failed, leading to talks with nations farther afield.

Separately, the United States has offered between $1,200 and $4,500 per family member to encourage the refugees to return to Afghanistan rather than resettle in the U.S. The Wall Street Journal highlighted warnings that returnees could face prosecution, imprisonment or death.

The fate of the more than 1,100 refugees remains unclear, with no figures available on how many have accepted the repatriation offer.