The United Arab Emirates has commenced a large-scale deportation of Afghan nationals, including those evacuated during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

According to official sources, Emirati authorities confirmed that deportations began on July 10, following a decision communicated to Washington.

The evacuees, approximately 17,000 in total who passed through the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, face uncertain futures as some remain stranded in limbo, with reports indicating preparations to hand over some to the Taliban.

The deportations come amid growing security fears and diplomatic tensions. An internal State Department cable, reviewed by Reuters, revealed that the UAE had already started returning Afghan evacuees prior to statements by U.S. officials, including U.S President Donald Trump, who vowed to assist evacuees stuck in the region.

The UAE, a close security partner of the U.S., had agreed in 2021 to host thousands of Afghans fleeing Taliban rule. However, recent developments suggest a shift in policy, with some reports indicating that Emirati officials are preparing to transfer Afghan refugees directly to Taliban control, raising concerns among international observers.

President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, expressed his intentions to intervene and help those in limbo, signaling ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding the fate of Afghan evacuees in the Gulf region.

This move marks a significant shift in the UAE’s handling of Afghan refugees, many of whom were temporarily relocated to the Gulf state at the request of the United States.