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Rubio says at least five countries are open to taking in stranded Afghans

By Thomson Reuters Jun 2, 2026 | 2:33 PM

WASHINGTON, June 2 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ​told lawmakers ‌on Tuesday that the Trump administration does not want to force ‌Afghans ​currently stranded ⁠in Qatar to ⁠return to Afghanistan and has spoken with at least five ​countries who are open to ⁠receiving them.

More ⁠than 1,100 people ​have been held at ​the former U.S. Army ‌base Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) since at least early last ⁠year, when Republican President Donald Trump’s administration halted resettlement for ⁠Afghans ‌who feared ⁠retribution from Taliban ​authorities ‌for their links ​to the ⁠U.S. military.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Patricia Zengerle and Ryan Jones, Editing by Franklin ​Paul)