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“We have been alongside the Italian forces in the hardest moments and in the most dangerous areas of western Afghanistan. Please do not leave us behind at this critical moment. “The heartfelt appeal involves some fifty Afghan interpreters, who fear being left to their fate by Italians after having risked their lives, for years, with our soldiers. In the letter sent on December 10 to the general of the Alpine troops Alberto Vezzoli, who commands the contingent of 700 men in the process of demobilization in Herat, the mortal risk for the interpreters is announced. “Recently, on social networks, they have been published and relaunched pro-Taliban threats against those who supported the Coalition forces and Westerners, “the translators denounce. And they recall that one of them, Abdul Rasool Ghazizadeh, nicknamed Gennaro,” was assassinated on the way home. “The interpreters fear that” the fate of each interpreter is the same if he abandons us “.
Since November 28, Afghan collaborators have started receiving firing letters without any hint of a plan to ensure their safety. Eleven have already been sent home. A déjà vu in 2013 with the end of the first part of the NATO mission and the return to the homeland of the bulk of the Italian troops. Thanks to a campaign of Newspaper the then Defense Minister, Roberta Pinotti, had approved a protection plan that brought 117 Afghan collaborators as well as their families to Italy. However, 35, due to absurd bureaucratic traps, were abandoned and are still trying to get out of Afghanistan today to avoid retaliation. Now the “betrayal” of those who have stood by our troops becomes even more serious and dishonorable. Following the Americans, Italian troops are also preparing for a total withdrawal or to minimize our presence. The Taliban are determined to return to power and will carry out the repeatedly announced revenge against “the collaborators of the infidels.” A yellow-red government that opens ports to tens of thousands of illegal immigrants appears to have no plans for a few dozen Afghan interpreters.
“When we ended up in an ambush by the Taliban in Bala Murghab it was a hell of bullets and RPG rockets – says one of the interpreters at risk to the newspaper – The Italian military adviser ordered me: We must get out of the armored vehicle to fight shoulder to shoulder with him. Afghan commander. And I did it by staying two hours in the middle of the fire. “
In his “farewell” letters, General Vezzoli writes: “I hereby expressly communicate the termination of the contract.” The official reason for the non-renewal is related to “security needs due to the Covid-19 health emergency.” The general concludes that “for this, he is grateful for the work and service rendered to the military personnel of the Italian contingent.” Not even a mention of the protection plan for Afghans, partially implemented in the past with the reception in Italy. Interpreters are paid $ 4.5 an hour for risking their lives. After 12 years of dangerous work, they receive $ 5,000 and are now at risk of being abandoned. “Our most important weapon was not the Lynx, nor the rifles, but the guys in my battery of interpreters. The two dozen Afghans who had excellent knowledge of the English language and a cosmopolitan upbringing were the bridge between us and the Afghan security forces, ”an official who was on a mission in Afghanistan told the newspaper.
“After such long and loyal service, we wish we could live somewhere in peace where we and our families don’t have to worry about being killed. The fate of the fired interpreters is unclear. Please do not forget our sacrifices, leaving behind those who, for more than a decade, have sacrificed to support your missions ”, write the translators at the Italian command of Herat. And they reveal that Vezzoli’s predecessor, General Enrico Barduani, “has assured us that the Italian government is committed to not leaving them behind.” Right now the opposite is happening. Eleven interpreters have already been discharged without a safety net. The other 38 were divided into two groups: the first will conclude the contract in February and the others in April. Twenty-four hours after receiving the heartfelt appeal, General Vezzoli meets with some translators and guarantees that he will inform the “highest authorities” of the Italian embassy in Kabul. The Defense Minister’s cabinet is informed, but 35 interpreters have already been cut since 2016. One of them, Abbas Ahmadi of the Hazara ethnic group hated by the Taliban, is still waiting: “I am surprised that the Italian government has not helped me, after to risk my life with his soldiers. The Taliban will kill us if someone doesn’t help us get out of this hell. “
Colonel Emanuele Biondini, recently on leave, was in Afghanistan and says: “We became known in many theaters as good Italians. A country like ours, which rightly or wrongly boasts of wanting to save all human lives in danger, cannot fail to protect and save those who have served it loyally ”. An interpreter who still works with the Italians confirms the terror of reprisals with the Taliban at the gates: “They consider us spies of the infidels. If we fall behind, they will soon hit our houses to cut off our heads.
