Frankfurt: Germany has carried out its first deportation of Afghan nationals since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021. This move comes as Germany faces increasing pressure to address migration and enhance border controls.

The deportation involved 28 Afghan nationals who had been convicted of crimes and were subject to deportation orders. A chartered flight operated by Qatar Airways departed from Leipzig airport for Kabul early Friday morning, carrying the deportees, according to security sources.

Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit explained that this deportation was the result of two months of discreet negotiations, with Qatar facilitating talks between Berlin and the Taliban authorities. Hebestreit added that Germany sought support from regional partners to assist with the deportation process.

Germany had previously halted all deportations to Afghanistan and closed its embassy in Kabul following the Taliban's rise to power. The recent deportation reflects the German government's response to growing demands for stricter measures against illegal migration and convicted criminals among asylum seekers.

This action comes amid a series of high-profile crimes involving migrants, including a recent knife attack at a street festival in Solingen that resulted in three deaths, allegedly committed by a 26-year-old Syrian man linked to the Islamic State group. Additionally, a 25-year-old Afghan was involved in a fatal knife attack on a police officer in Mannheim earlier this year.

In light of these incidents, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that Germany plans to resume deportations to Syria and Afghanistan "very soon" as part of a broader effort to enhance security and reform asylum policies.

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