The Afghans, housed at Camp As Sayliyah on the outskirts of Doha, say returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan would expose them to reprisals because of their past work with U.S. and allied forces, while resettlement options remain limited after President Donald Trump’s administration suspended Afghan immigration cases and paused refugee admissions.

“We are all living in extreme anxiety. We feel that we are in limbo,” said Rasouly, a former interpreter for U.S. forces who has spent 19 months at the camp with his family.Camp As Sayliyah, once used by the U.S. military, has served as a transit and processing center for Afghan evacuees since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in August 2021.

Many of those still there had expected eventual resettlement in the United States under refugee or special immigration pathways.That process stalled after Trump paused refugee admissions in January 2025 and later suspended Afghan immigration cases in November, leaving hundreds of families in prolonged legal and humanitarian uncertainty.

Advocacy group AfghanEvac said the U.S. administration is considering requiring residents to choose between returning to Afghanistan or relocating to countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, a proposal first reported by U.S. media and later confirmed by campaigners as under review.In an open letter shared by AfghanEvac, camp residents rejected the possibility of relocation to Congo, citing both security concerns and trauma from years of conflict.

“We have been in enough war. We cannot take our children into another one,” the letter said. “We also cannot return to Afghanistan. The Taliban will kill many of us for what we did for the United States.”The U.S. State Department has not confirmed Congo as a destination but said relocation to a third country could provide safety and an opportunity to rebuild lives. Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo have not commented publicly on the reports.

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, responding to the reports, said Afghan nationals abroad could return in “confidence and peace of mind,” rejecting concerns over retaliation.However, the United Nations has documented arbitrary arrests, detentions and cases of torture involving former Afghan officials and security personnel who returned to Afghanistan, raising concerns among rights groups over the safety of returnees.

Residents at the camp said they have received little formal communication and rely largely on rumors about resettlement plans or possible camp closure.“Different rumors have circulated,” said Mahmoud, 38, who worked with U.S. and international forces and has lived at the camp for more than a year. “Rumours such as sending people to the Democratic Republic of the Congo are being spread to increase psychological pressure.

”Many families live in cramped, windowless containers and are generally unable to leave except for serious medical emergencies, residents said.The insecurity deepened during Iranian missile attacks targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf earlier this year, when explosions and interceptions were visible from the camp despite the base no longer being operational.

“It reminded us of Afghanistan,” said Shabnam, who arrived at the camp in January 2025 with her young son after her father’s work with U.S. and allied forces in western Afghanistan. “Many of us came here to escape conflict. It felt like we were reliving those same fears.”The State Department confirmed in February that Washington had offered financial assistance for voluntary return to Afghanistan.

AfghanEvac and camp residents said the package included $4,500 for each main applicant and $1,200 per dependent.Around 150 people have accepted the payments and returned, according to U.S. officials.For others, the offer does little to ease fears.“Security is not something that can be negotiated,” Rasouly said. “If they pay me $50,000 for me and my family, I cannot go to Afghanistan because my life is in danger.”

The Interior Ministry said the group had been planning operations aimed at undermining security and stability in Homs, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), as the government intensifies efforts to reassert control across the country following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024.

Security forces confiscated anti-tank missile launchers, sniper rifles, automatic weapons, RPG launchers and large quantities of ammunition during the operation, the ministry said.

It described the raid as part of broader efforts to track and dismantle sleeper cells and eliminate what it called the remaining sources of terrorism across Syrian territory.Authorities did not identify the group involved or specify whether it had links to Daesh or other militant organizations still active in parts of Syria.

Syria has faced recurring security threats since the collapse of the Assad regime, with attacks targeting both domestic security forces and foreign military personnel operating in the country.In December, an attack on a joint patrol near Palmyra in Homs province killed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter, while injuring three U.S. service members and two Syrian security personnel.

The incident underscored continuing instability in central Syria, where remnants of militant networks continue to operate despite years of military campaigns against insurgent groups.In November, Syria became the 90th member of the Global Coalition against Daesh, the international alliance formed in 2014 to combat the militant group after it seized large parts of Syria and northern Iraq.

Although Daesh no longer controls major territory, security officials and international observers continue to warn that the group retains the capacity to conduct insurgent attacks, particularly in remote desert areas and regions with weakened state control.

The latest operation in Homs reflects Damascus’ effort to project authority and reassure both domestic and international partners that it can contain militant threats as the country navigates a fragile post-Assad transition.

Iranian authorities said the aircraft was shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace defense systems, describing the jet as “completely obliterated” and confirming that search operations were ongoing. U.S. media reported that one of the two crew members had been rescued by American special forces, while efforts continued to recover the second.

The U.S. Central Command did not immediately comment on the incident, though the White House said President Donald Trump had been briefed. In remarks to NBC, Trump said the loss would not affect ongoing negotiations with Iran, stating, “No, not at all. No, it’s war.

”Iranian state media indicated that authorities had offered a “valuable reward” for the capture of any surviving crew member, underscoring the urgency and strategic importance attached to the recovery effort.

In a separate development, Iran’s military said it had also struck a U.S. A-10 ground attack aircraft in the Gulf, while U.S. media reported that the pilot in that incident had been rescued. There was no immediate confirmation from U.S. officials.

The incident comes amid an escalating conflict that began more than a month ago following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering a broader regional confrontation. The conflict has disrupted economic activity across the Middle East and raised concerns over global energy security.U.S.

Central Command said earlier this week that American forces had flown more than 13,000 missions and struck over 12,300 targets during operations in Iran. Despite sustained bombardment, analysts say Iran retains operational air defense capabilities.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the downing likely reflected continued effectiveness of Iran’s residual defenses. He noted that U.S. aircraft flying at lower altitudes may be more exposed to threats, adding that portable shoulder-fired missiles were a plausible cause.

Mark Cancian, a defense adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said such systems are harder to detect and could explain the aircraft loss. He described the broader U.S. air campaign as successful but noted that even limited losses can carry political consequences domestically.

Retired U.S. brigadier general Houston Cantwell said survival training for downed pilots prioritizes concealment and communication to enable recovery while avoiding capture. He added that both sides typically attempt to intercept or manipulate signals during such operations.

The downing represents the first U.S. jet loss in combat since 2003, when an aircraft was struck over Baghdad and the pilot was safely recovered. Rescue missions in contested environments often rely on helicopters, which Cantwell said are particularly vulnerable due to their slower speed and lower altitude.

The U.S. military has previously acknowledged other aircraft losses during the current conflict, including a tanker crash in Iraq and several fighter jets downed in friendly fire incidents involving allied forces.

A defense ministry official, cited by state news agency SANA, said the tunnel was located near the village of Hosh Al-Sayyid Ali, west of Homs, and had been used by what the statement described as “Lebanese militias.”

The military has since sealed the passage.The closure comes as Syrian and Lebanese authorities step up efforts to curb smuggling across their porous border, particularly in mountainous regions that have long facilitated illicit trade and movement of goods and fighters.

Eastern Lebanon, adjacent to the Syrian border, is a stronghold of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group currently engaged in hostilities with Israel.shifting regional dynamicsHezbollah had played a key role in supporting former Syrian president Bashar Assad during Syria’s civil conflict.

Following his overthrow in December 2024 by an Islamist coalition opposed to the group, key supply routes between Syria and Lebanon have been disrupted.

Authorities on both sides of the border have since moved to dismantle smuggling networks, reflecting broader shifts in regional alliances and security priorities.

No further details were provided on the scale of the tunnel or whether arrests were made in connection with its use.

Zelenskiy said the framework deal, signed ahead of talks with Mohammed bin Salman, establishes a basis for future contracts, joint technological development and investment between the two countries.

“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” Zelenskiy said on Telegram, adding that Saudi capabilities were also of interest to Ukraine.

The visit comes as Kyiv reassesses its external support network in the fifth year of its war with Russia. A report by the Washington Post said the United States is weighing redirecting weapons supplies intended for Ukraine to the Middle East, where tensions linked to a conflict with Iran are straining American stockpiles.

Zelenskiy’s outreach to Gulf partners signals an effort to diversify defence cooperation and secure alternative funding and technology flows as geopolitical priorities shift.

Earlier this month, Ukraine sent more than 220 military and security experts to several Middle Eastern countries to advise on countering drone attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

According to video released by Zelenskiy’s office, the delegation included air defence specialists and officials from Ukraine’s SBU security service.

The group conducted workshops for Saudi officials, reported to the Saudi General Staff and is preparing to share operational experience in air defence.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine expects financial compensation and access to technology in exchange for providing such assistance.Drones have become a central feature of the battlefield in Ukraine’s war with Russia, prompting Kyiv to accelerate domestic production and innovation to offset Moscow’s manpower advantage.

Zelenskiy told Reuters this week that, with sufficient financing, Ukraine could produce up to 2,000 drone interceptors per day, underscoring the scale of its defence manufacturing ambitions.

The agreement with Saudi Arabia reflects a convergence of interests as Middle Eastern states seek to strengthen air defence capabilities against drone threats, while Ukraine looks to leverage its battlefield experience for strategic and economic gains.

In comments shared in a video that resurfaced online, the minister said “anyone here who is more loyal to Iran than to Bahrain should rely on Allah and leave,” adding that those who prioritise ties to Iran should “leave and settle down” there. The remarks come as Bahrain and neighbouring Gulf countries face continued missile and drone attacks from Iran in a conflict that escalated following tensions with the United States on Feb. 28.

Iran has launched strikes not only on Israel but also on multiple Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according to official statements and regional reporting. The attacks have targeted both military and civilian infrastructure across the region. Bahrain has reported damage to sites including areas near the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, underscoring the proximity of strategic assets to the conflict.

The United Arab Emirates has also reported sustained strikes, with its defence ministry citing hundreds of missiles and drones launched since late February. The widening scope of the conflict has raised concerns among Gulf governments about both external threats and internal vulnerabilities.

The minister’s remarks follow heightened concern among Gulf authorities over domestic security and alleged links between Iran and networks operating within the region. Regional security reporting has pointed to concerns about covert cells providing intelligence or operational support, including relaying coordinates or documenting strike locations.

Bahraini authorities have long accused Iran of backing militant groups and fomenting unrest in the kingdom. The issue of national loyalty has remained a sensitive topic in Bahrain, particularly during periods of heightened regional tension.

Bahrain has experienced episodes of unrest in the past, and officials have repeatedly emphasised national unity during times of geopolitical strain. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Gulf states have tightened security measures and reinforced public messaging as they respond to the expanding conflict, which has disrupted energy flows and heightened geopolitical risks across the region.

The reports, accompanied by a high-definition image of a man in handcuffs standing before the Bahraini Ministry of Interior’s emblem, claimed that an Indian national named Nitin Mohan had been caught red-handed.

As a telecommunications expert, he was allegedly accused of transmitting sensitive geospatial data and video reconnaissance of strategic Gulf locations to Israel’s external intelligence service.

The story spread with surgical precision, fueled by “The Intel Consortium” and other accounts, racking up millions of views and appearing on news portals in Pakistan and beyond.

Anatomy of a Digital Fabrication

The investigation into “Nitin Mohan” quickly revealed a sophisticated web of lies.

On March 10, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India, via its dedicated FactCheck wing, officially designated the claim as “false and baseless.”

Forensic analysis of the viral photograph—the purported “smoking gun”—revealed it was an AI-generated deepfake.

Digital analysts pointed to classic synthetic “hallucinations,” such as misaligned reflections in the man’s eyes, blurred fingers that merged into a single fist, and structural inconsistencies in the handcuffs. No primary source from the Bahraini government ever mentioned a “Nitin Mohan,” and no such arrest record exists in the Kingdom’s judicial system.

The Real Arrests Behind the Smoke

While Bahraini authorities did announce arrests around that time, the facts were vastly different.

On March 9, the Ministry of Interior detained six individuals for cybercrime violations related to filming and sharing videos of “Iranian aggression” and “glorifying acts of hostility” during the heightened regional tensions of 2026.

Of those arrested, five were Pakistani nationals and one was Bangladeshi. None were Indian, none were named Nitin Mohan, and zero mention was made of Mossad or espionage.

The “Nitin Mohan” story was a classic case of identity substitution, where real arrests were used as a skeleton to hang a completely fabricated and more inflammatory narrative.

The Strategic Indian Workforce: A Pillar of Progress

This disinformation campaign targeted a community that forms the literal backbone of the Middle East’s modern infrastructure.

As of 2026, over 9 million Indians live and work in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Far from being “operatives,” these individuals are the architects of the region’s future.

Indian engineers and tech experts lead massive projects like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and the UAE’s renewable energy grids. In the medical sector, Indian doctors and nurses comprise nearly 30% of the workforce in many Gulf states.

Economically, their contribution is unparalleled; in recent years, Indian workers in the Middle East have sent back over $50 billion in annual remittances, while simultaneously driving the GDP of their host nations through construction, retail, and hospitality.

The Shadow War: Why the Diaspora is Targeted

Security experts warn that the “Nitin Mohan” hoax is part of a broader “Grey Zone” warfare strategy. Adversary countries, often utilizing organized bot networks from Pakistan and Iran, have increasingly weaponized social media to attack the credibility of the Indian workforce.

By linking ordinary Indian professionals to Mossad or foreign intelligence for ulterior goals, these campaigns aim to sow seeds of suspicion between New Delhi and Arab capitals.

This digital sabotage attempts to create a “security risk” perception around Indian talent, hoping to slow the preference for Indian engineers in sensitive sectors. As this case proves, while bots can generate lies, they cannot dismantle the decades of trust built by millions of hardworking Indians across the Middle East.

In the statement, Pezeshkian said Iran had attempted to avoid war through diplomatic engagement with neighbouring governments but that recent military actions by the United States and Israel had forced Tehran to act in self-defence. “We have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves,” he wrote.

The Iranian president addressed the message to what he described as “friendly and neighboring states,” stressing that Tehran respects the sovereignty of countries across the Middle East. He added that regional security and stability should be achieved collectively by states in the region rather than through outside intervention.

Iranian officials have repeatedly framed their military posture in recent months as defensive, arguing that the country is responding to external threats. Pezeshkian’s remarks reflect Tehran’s long-standing position that regional security arrangements should be managed by Middle Eastern governments themselves.

The message appeared aimed at reassuring neighbouring governments that Iran’s response would not threaten their territorial sovereignty while also signalling that Tehran considers recent military actions against it to justify retaliation under self-defence.

The slowdown comes after the Iraqi government requested additional time to manage the sensitive issue of foreign fighters and to prepare its detention infrastructure.

The transfers began earlier this month following growing instability in northeastern Syria.

Security concerns intensified after the collapse of local forces responsible for guarding prisons and camps holding thousands of suspected militants.

Initially, U.S. officials had planned to move as many as 7,000 detainees to Iraq within a short period. However, more than a week after the process started, only around 500 detainees have been transferred so far.

Iraqi judicial and security officials say the current pace reflects Baghdad’s caution rather than logistical failure. The government has reportedly asked Washington to pause or slow the transfers to allow broader diplomatic discussions.

A key issue is the presence of hundreds of foreign nationals among the detainees. Many of them are citizens of Western countries that remain reluctant to accept their return.

Iraq has urged these countries to take responsibility for their own nationals. Officials argue that Iraq should not become the default holding location for foreign jihadists captured elsewhere.

Those transferred so far reportedly include around 130 Iraqi nationals and approximately 400 foreign fighters. They have been placed in Iraqi detention facilities under heightened security arrangements.

Baghdad has also cited practical challenges. Existing prisons are already under strain, and authorities need time to prepare additional secure facilities.

The detainees were originally held in Syria for years without trial. Their detention followed the collapse of the Islamic State’s self-declared caliphate in 2019.

Since then, the fate of these fighters has posed a major dilemma for the international community. Legal, political, and security concerns have stalled repatriation efforts across Europe and beyond.

Western governments fear domestic backlash, legal complications, and potential security risks. As a result, many countries have preferred to leave their citizens in regional detention rather than bring them home.

The slowdown in transfers highlights the limits of unilateral solutions to a multinational problem. Without coordinated agreements, Iraq risks inheriting a long-term security burden.

U.S. officials have not publicly commented on the reduced pace of transfers. Silence from Washington has added to uncertainty around the future of the operation.

Meanwhile, instability in Syria continues to raise alarm over the safety of remaining detention centers. Any further breakdown could risk escapes or renewed militant activity.

Iraqi officials stress that their cooperation depends on shared responsibility. They argue that lasting security requires international participation, not just regional containment.

The situation underscores unresolved consequences of the fight against Islamic State. Even years after its territorial defeat, the group’s legacy continues to challenge global security systems.

As talks continue behind closed doors, the fate of thousands of detainees remains uncertain. For now, transfers move slowly, shaped as much by politics as by security concerns.