The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has responded to media reports suggesting that around 1,100 Afghans awaiting U.S. visa processing in Qatar may be relocated to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry’s spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said it had taken note of reports indicating that Afghan nationals in Qatar were being asked to choose between returning to Afghanistan or being transferred to a third country.

The ministry reiterated that Afghanistan is the shared homeland of all Afghans and encouraged voluntary return, stressing that returnees can come back with “full confidence and peace of mind.”

It said that those intending to travel to another country may do so at an appropriate juncture through legal and dignified channels.

The statement added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to engage with all countries through consular and bilateral channels to protect the rights of Afghan citizens abroad.

It further stated that there are no security threats inside Afghanistan, rejecting the notion that citizens are being forced to leave for other countries due to conditions at home.

The U.S. Department of War said on Friday it will release the findings of a major internal review of the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan later this summer, in what officials describe as one of the most comprehensive assessments ever conducted on a single military operation.

Speaking to reporters, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the review examines decisions leading up to and including the evacuation at Kabul airport, particularly the deadly attack at Abbey Gate during the final days of the withdrawal.

Hegseth said the department is conducting a full internal accounting of the events, noting that previous investigations and congressional reviews did not provide a complete or detailed picture of what took place.

He described the withdrawal as a “disastrous” moment with long-term implications, saying its impact was felt beyond Afghanistan and influenced perceptions of U.S. deterrence worldwide.

On Aug. 26, 2021, as U.S. forces were withdrawing from Afghanistan, a suicide attack at the Abbey Gate entrance to Kabul’s airport killed 13 Americans.

The bombing has remained a central focus of criticism and political debate in the United States.

Deputy foreign ministers of member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization held consultations in Moscow on Friday, focusing on regional security and developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.

According to a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting underscored the importance of continued coordination among SCO countries on key regional issues.

Participants reaffirmed their collective support for the establishment of Afghanistan as an independent, neutral, and peaceful state, free from terrorism, war, and drug-related threats.

The consultations also addressed broader regional challenges, with officials exchanging views on security, stability, and cooperation across the SCO space.

The meeting is part of ongoing diplomatic engagements within the SCO framework, aimed at strengthening collaboration among member states and addressing shared concerns, particularly in relation to Afghanistan.

SCO members have repeatedly emphasized the need for a stable Afghanistan, viewing it as essential for long-term security and development in the wider region.