Afghan troops blocked from joining British Army

Afghan soldiers who travelled to the UK after the Taliban took control in 2021 are not eligible to join the Army
Afghan soldiers who travelled to the UK after the Taliban took control in 2021 are not eligible to join the Army - Jason P Howe

Former Afghan troops who fought the Taliban alongside British forces are being blocked from joining the Army for at least five years because of citizenship regulations.

The once-elite troops are now working as cleaners and food delivery drivers in the UK because obtaining citizenship takes too long, The Times reported.

Among those affected is a former major general who commanded thousands of elite Afghan troops during the war, the newspaper said.

British citizenship rules state a person must have lived in the UK for five years before they can be granted nationality, and the Army will only accept recruits who are British or Commonwealth citizens.

This means the Afghan soldiers who travelled to the UK after the Taliban took control in 2021 are not eligible.

A former Afghan major general said: To switch off and join the civilian world is difficult for me'
A former Afghan major general said: To switch off and join the civilian world is difficult for me' - Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images

Mirahmed Azimi, who led nearly 9,000 Afghan special forces units in their fight against the Taliban, said he knew of as many as 30 or 40 Afghans who would sign up if the rules changed but most of them were “just cleaning and driving”.

He added: “They would be happy to go. There will be too many people. The only job they are keen for and already have the skills for is the military.

“Most of them are just going cleaning or driving but they don’t like it. These are really talented, fit and trustworthy people.

“I spent all my life in the military and to switch off and join the civilian world is difficult for me.

“I love to wear my uniform, I love to serve others. I would 100 per cent join the British Army because I love it.”

This is despite the recruitment crisis which has threatened to engulf all services within the military in recent years.

Earlier in 2024, The Telegraph revealed the Navy had so few sailors it has had to decommission ships to staff its new fleet of frigates, while employment for both the RAF and Army has also fallen.

Government figures uncovered in March 2024 showed three quarters of would-be recruits drop out of the military’s application process because it takes too long.

In the past 10 years, 83 per cent of the 707,000 people who applied to join the Army voluntarily withdrew their application, and fewer than 80,000 were recruited.

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The Ministry of Defence is under pressure to change its policy so those who have worked with the British military can apply to serve the nation if they come to the UK.

Labour sources told The Telegraph a change to the policy was not something the Government was  considering.

A spokesman said: “This Government has a new drive to ensure that all Afghans who have relocated to the UK are supported to build their new lives, and to address shortcomings of the Arap scheme at pace.

“In the UK, Afghans who have been relocated are entitled to work and support is provided including language training, recognition of qualifications and specialist employment advice, to help people find jobs.

“Afghans who obtain British citizenship can apply for roles in the military provided they meet other necessary criteria including age requirements, education specifications and medical standards.”