America sent its military forces to Afghanistan in 2001 after the 9-11 attack. Not until August of 2021 did we pull our forces out of the country. Our enemy was not the people of Afghanistan, but Islamic extremists, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
Many civilian Afghans were willing to partner with the Americans. It was an invaluable partnership for us.
Marine Lt. Tom Schueman learned just how valuable one day in 2010. Interpreter "Zaki" learned that an ambush was being organized. When he told Tom but Tom didn't respond, Zaki ran through an I.E.D.-infested field and disrupted the trap, risking his own life for the platoon.
Said Schueman, “It was clear to me that Zaki was more than an interpreter. He was there to fight and serve right next to us. He just ran ahead into the village and spoiled the ambush. Zaki went across unswept ground where there were a lot of mines. That to me was just incredible bravery.”
A bond of respect and friendship grew between them, but circumstances separated them for years. The Taliban threatened torture and death for those who helped the Americans, and Zaki was worried. America offered a special program to help these Afghan partners, so he decided to take the offer and emigrate with his family to the U.S.
But it was a "red tape" nightmare and he was left behind to fend for himself when America pulled out.
from Historynet
(cont'd tomorrow)
No comments:
Post a Comment