From Afghanistan to Palestine: Plight of Muslim Refugees in American Warzones
19:11 10.11.2023 (Updated: 20:15 10.11.2023)
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The wars in Afghanistan and Palestine, both involving the United States and its allies, have resulted in the displacement and suffering of millions of Muslim refugees.
Saddam Hussein, ex-Iraqi President, remarked, “You Americans, you treat the Third World the way an Iraqi peasant treats his new bride. Three days of honeymoon, and then it's off to the fields.” The same way the US did in Afghanistan, by invading, looting, and destructing the structure, bombing, and hitting through drones, killing the people indiscriminately, forcing them to become refugees, and then leaving them at the mercy of the others. Under the so-called flagship of the War on Terror (WOR), after the accident of 9/11, the US army has killed thousands of Muslims, made millions of people refugees, and destroyed many Muslim countries in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen in the name of the War on Terror. However, the accident of 9/11 took only 2,996 US citizens' lives. But what the US did in retaliation was unforgettable, irreparable, and incomparable in human history. Today, Afghans are facing the world’s largest deportation or eviction by the Pakistani government.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is bizarrely similar to the fighting in Gaza and serves as yet another sketch of the disastrous consequences of US policies towards Muslim governments. Using state-of-the-art weaponry, drones, jets, tanks, and other military hardware provided by the US and NATO, the Israeli Defense Forces have been indiscriminately massacring Palestinian civilians and forcing them to flee since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Millions more people have been displaced due to the violence, which has claimed thousands of lives and resulted in a fresh wave of Muslim refugees.
Palestinians flee to the southern Gaza Strip along Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023.
© AP Photo / Hatem Moussa
Another Conflict, Another Muslim State, Another Refugee crisis
According to Syrian based SANA news, “For Palestinians fighting on the front lines, the current conflict between Hamas and Israel has resulted in misery and suffering. Official statistics show that 10,567 people have died as a result of the violence, and 1.5 million Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes. The number of Palestinians who are being forced to leave their homes keeps going up.”
Additionally, “an estimated 1.5 million people have been displaced in Gaza since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, and while the Rafah border crossing into Egypt has been opened, so far only for severely injured Palestinians and those with foreign passports have been allowed to cross.” Yahoo News explains the factors complicating relocation for those caught in the conflict. Hundreds of Palestinian foreign passport holders waited on Tuesday inside the war-stricken and besieged Gaza Strip to escape through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Paradoxically, neither the US-facilitated Abraham Accords—which aimed to settle the dispute between Israel and Palestine by creating two independent states—nor the US-Taliban Doha Peace Agreement of 2020, which attempted to ensure a better future for Afghans, have yielded the desired outcomes. Conversely, the people of Afghanistan and Palestine have had to endure more unrest, devastation, and cruelty as a result of these deals.
President Donald Trump, center, with, from left, Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan, during the Abraham Accords signing ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Washington.
© AP Photo / Alex Brandon
Hassan Rouhani once said: "The US intervention in the Middle East has only brought more chaos and instability to the region."
The Plight of Muslim Refugees: Escaping the Aftermath of US-Sponsored Wars
Muslims, such as those from Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine, make up the largest group of refugees currently registered with the United Nations Refugee Agency. This is due to US clout in international politics, US policies, and US "agreements" on matters affecting Muslim-majority countries.
Famous author, literary critic, and political activist, Edward Said stressed: "The extensive history of subjugation, suffering, exploitation, war crimes, Islamophobia, and genocide inflicted upon Muslim states." The US has been responsible for the instability, damage, political intervention, regime changes, engagement of non-state actors, and pursuit of its own vested interests in numerous countries, including Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Palestine.
Similarly, Arundhati Roy, a prominent writer and social-political activist, asserted: “TheUS was not engaged in a war on terror but rather a war of terror. This viewpoint was expressed in the context of the American invasion of Afghanistan, which resulted in the destabilization of the country.’ The consequences of this invasion included the loss of countless Afghan lives and their subjugation. Additionally, millions were compelled to seek refuge in neighboring countries such as Iran, India, and Pakistan. Even today, Afghans continue to search for peace, security, and safety amidst their displacement. Ironically, last month, the Pakistani government announced its intention to deport 1.5 million Afghan refugees due to security concerns and economic burdens. Consequently, these refugees now find themselves at the mercy of the Taliban government.
Afghan refugees
© AP Photo / Ebrahim Noroozi
An Iranian official attributed the harm and instability that have beset the Muslim world to the United States and its allies in an interview with an Iranian news organization at Global news. “In this sense, from its founding, Israel has been involved in conflicts and territorial expansions. Israel has initiated multiple conflicts by repeatedly invading and occupying Palestinian territory. With every battle Israel has engaged in, their military preparedness and capacity have grown. Israel has amassed one of the most sophisticated armies in the world thanks to American assistance. A coalition opposing Israel has been formed by Iran, Syria, Hamas in Palestine, and Hezbollah in Lebanon in reaction to Israel's policy of using military force to further political objectives.”
One well-known statement that relates to Israel, "Israel was born in a war, survived and sustained itself in war, and continued to expand in war."
The Hypocrisy of US Policies in the Context of Muslim Refugees
The plight of Muslim refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan and Palestine, exposes US hypocrisy. Nevertheless, the US's actions in these crisis areas contradict its claims to be a champion of stability, democracy, and human rights.
Under the guise of fighting terrorism, the US invaded Afghanistan after September 11, 2001. On the other hand, there has been a great deal of relocation, massive destruction, and bloodshed since the invasion. Thousands of defenseless Afghans have been forced to escape their homes due to the actions of the US military, leaving them at the mercy of the Taliban*.
FILE - Taliban special force fighters arrive inside the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the U.S. military's withdrawal, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 31, 2021. A year after America's tumultuous and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, assessments of its impact are divided — and largely along partisan lines.
© AP Photo / Khwaja Tawfiq Sediqi
In a similar vein, the US has historically supported Israel fervently when it comes to Palestine. It has enabled the Israeli Defense Forces to conduct devastating operations on Palestinian territory by providing it with state-of-the-art military equipment and assistance. Millions of people have been forced to escape their homes, resulting in thousands of fatalities and a fresh refugee catastrophe for the Muslim world.
The hypocrisy lies in the US's contradictory statements and deeds on human rights, democracy, and peace, notwithstanding all of these humanitarian crises. The Doha Peace Agreement and the Abrahamic Accords were meant to provide stability and settlement to Afghanistan and Palestine, respectively, yet all they have done is fuel more strife and suffering.
We cannot ignore the horrific consequences that these policies have on Muslim refugees. Because of American meddling in these areas, the already unstable situation has only gotten worse and innocent people have had to relocate. The international community must put an end to its hypocrisy and work toward true justice, peace, and compassion for those who are harmed by these conflicts.
The dearth of assistance from the US and its allies is exacerbating the current humanitarian crisis in Palestine. The impoverished and vulnerable people of Gaza are left without proper homes, food, healthcare, or security while Israel and its soldiers receive support. Thousands of Palestinians, having ran out of food and water in the north, are making a desperate attempt to escape south of the Gaza Strip. The largest metropolis in the Palestinian enclave, Gaza metropolis, has been "stormed" by Israeli forces, who are operating "in the heart" of it. As a result, at least 10,567 people—including at least 4,237 children—have died.
IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip
© AP Photo / Israel Defense Forces
The Devastating Impact of US Involvement: Weapon-Based Economy and Global Instability
US involvement in global conflicts has had far-reaching consequences, particularly in the context of weapon-based economies and the resulting global instability.
In this context, the Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman recently claimed that the US war and weapon-based economy have caused millions of Muslims in the Middle East and South Asia to suffer. The proliferation of weapons and a nuclear arsenal among its allies has led to instability, genocides, resource extraction, invasions, and terrorism. The spokesman argued that the sole purpose behind these activities is to serve American interests in the region and to contain Russia, Iran, and China at the cost of Muslim lives. Similarly, Iranian diplomats have accused the US of creating destruction, suffering, exploitation, and instability wherever it goes. This assertion is reflected in the cases of Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Palestine. American involvement in these regions has resulted in instability and disturbance, with wrong, maligned, and vested interest-based policies that have disrupted the world order and created a threat to global peace.
The arms industry has long profited from violent conflicts, whether they are in Afghanistan, Palestine, or Israel. The business of war is a lucrative one, and the proliferation of American weapons in conflict zones only exacerbates the cycle of violence. The recent Hamas-Israel conflict serves as a stark reminder of this imbalance of power, with the US providing significant military aid and weapons to Israel. This support has contributed to the disproportionate suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, with thousands of lives lost and widespread destruction. The conflict highlights how the weapon-based economy perpetuates conflicts rather than fostering sustainable peace.
Situation in the Gaza Strip
© Photo : Mahmoud Mazloum
The devastating impact of American involvement in weapon-based economies and conflicts raises important questions about the pursuit of global peace. The Afghan Taliban's acquisition of American weapons serves as an example of the need for a policy review and a focus on long-term peace-building initiatives. As per reports and observers, from Afghan Taliban to Afghan Army forces, from Israel Defense Forces to Hamas, all are using American-manufactured and designed weapons and war machines. Here the ironical question arises about American hypocritical state policies in the matter of creating and sponsoring wars: is America not violating international laws, and is the US not solely responsible for today’s world’s instability and chaotic situation, especially in the Middle East and South Asian crises? To address these challenges, it is crucial for the international community to encourage dialogue, diplomacy, and conflict resolution mechanisms that prioritize human security over military dominance. Additionally, addressing root causes such as socio-economic disparities, political grievances, and historical injustices is essential for long-term peace and stability.
Conclusion
All in all, Muslim refugees fleeing American battle zones confront a complicated and pressing issue that requires immediate global attention and response. Prioritizing humanitarian relief and relocation options is crucial, even though it could be challenging to locate all the solutions. These issues are having a detrimental effect on millions of people's lives, and the only way we can hope to change things is if we band together. Otherwise, the repercussions of this conflict would be unmeasurable, destructive and catastrophic as compare to Fall of Kabul
However, the concerns expressed regarding US actions and its hegemonic status in international affairs require the international community to examine and confront these issues. If the United States had less clout in global institutions like the World Trade Organization, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Court of Justice, perhaps a more stable and decentralized international order could be established. Building a new international coalition might involve countries such as Iran, Russia, China, Turkey, India, Qatar, UAE, South Africa and other Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries, taking into account geostrategic, geo-economics, and geopolitical aspects in the context of bringing world peace and order by addressing or solving the prolonged conflict of Middle East and South Asian regions.
Therefore, it is the right and high time, on the one hand, to contain American barbarism, its dirty culture of war of experiments, and create a space for the new multipolar world order with new principles and Cosmo political values.
* The Taliban is under UN sanctions for extremism.
