Cambodia has granted temporary residence to the first 15 Afghan refugees, under an arrangement with the Asia Foundation, a US-based development organization.
The group, which is part of a total of 300 persons covered by the agreement, landed in Cambodia early this month, according to Cambodian publication Khmer Times.
They will remain there until a third nation offers them asylum, according to the statement, which also stated that all of the refugees are Asia Foundation employees in Afghanistan.
In the meantime, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has formed a 13-person working group to help the refugees find housing.
After many weeks of military successes that coincided with the withdrawal of Western soldiers, the Taliban invaded Kabul in mid-August.
Thousands of Afghans, including those linked with international organizations, have attempted to flee the country as a result of the militants’ control, fearing retaliation.
NAN