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Kabul Probes Reports Iran Recruiting Afghans To Syria War


A funeral for four Afghan refugees who were killed in Syria were held in Mashhad, Iran on May 15, 2014.
A funeral for four Afghan refugees who were killed in Syria were held in Mashhad, Iran on May 15, 2014.
By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan

Afghan officials are probing reports that claim Iran has been recruiting thousands of Afghan refugees to fight in Syria.

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry said on May 18 Kabul has tasked its embassy in Tehran to investigate if the claims are true.

"The Wall Street Journal" reported on May 15 that Iran has been offering $500 a month and Iranian residency to Afghan refugees in exchange for fighting alongside forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a close ally of Tehran.

The publication said a funeral ceremony was held in the Iranian city of Mashhad last week for four Afghan men killed in Syria.

Afghanistan said sending Afghan refugees to Syria is a violation of their rights, and exploits their vulnerable situation.

Afghanistan's upper house of parliament has asked the Afghan government to request Iranian authorities to clarify the situation.
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