SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – “I would like Utahns to know what we as ladies went by way of in Afghanistan,” tells Roya Alizada in her interview with ABC4’s digital reporting staff. As an Afghan particular forces operative and now refugee resettled in Utah, Alizada and different ladies like her have gone by way of loads. She contributed to this text below an alias for her safety and authorised that pictures of her used obscure her identification sufficiently.
Alizada is a member of Afghanistan’s “Feminine Tactical Platoon” that was educated by U.S. particular forces to battle alongside male Afghans within the protection of their nation. In keeping with her, they did all the pieces “shoulder to shoulder with the boys,” making her and her fellow feminine operatives extraordinarily offensive to the Taliban. The Feminine Tactical Platoon reportedly participated in a number of hundred evening raids with high US particular operatives from the Inexperienced Berets, Navy SEALs, and Army Rangers. However it was their gender—not simply their excellent army document—that made them high targets for the Taliban when Kabul and Afghanistan fell.
Alizada was a member of Afghan particular forces for six years, during which she was educated in firearms, ways, searches, investigations, and explosives. She served with the platoon in a wide range of places together with Bagram and Mazar-i-Sharif. The Feminine Tactical Platoon specialised in evening ops the place they did what male troopers couldn’t in Afghanistan: interview ladies and youngsters for ongoing army investigations. Alizada reported strolling lengthy distances on evening ops to guard ladies and youngsters in distant places from the Taliban.
Talking concerning the fall of Kabul and Afghanistan, Alizada stated she is going to “always remember that day.”
She was in Kabul working, and on her manner house from the financial institution after doing a little administrative work. Out of the blue, Alizada’s driver’s automotive hit stopped visitors. Her driver stated it could be higher to stroll to their vacation spot than watch for the vehicles to clear, so Alizada started to stroll by way of the visitors when the entire metropolis erupted in chaos. She requested somebody close by what had occurred, they usually stated that the Taliban had entered and brought Kabul. Alizada walked house by way of the chaos as all of the markets and retailers round her closed in concern of the incoming Taliban forces.
The withdrawal of U.S. forces and help meant that Alizada needed to flee Afghanistan. As a result of she and her husband—additionally a member of Afghan particular forces—had labored with the U.S. army and Afghan authorities, they had been high targets for the Taliban. Alizada’s husband was unable to flee and was killed by the Taliban when she was two months pregnant with their son, who’s along with her in Utah. Alizada says that she didn’t solely should concern dying on the Taliban’s fingers, however possible torture and rape due to her work as a feminine particular operative.
As Afghanistan fell, Alizada was in touch with the Cultural Help Groups—her former army advisors—on how finest to flee the nation. She was despatched a type to organize for refuge within the US a month earlier than the Afghan authorities collapsed. 4 or 5 days after she was in Kabul because it fell, Alizada went to an handle at sundown the place she waited to be extracted.
When requested what she left behind in Afghanistan, Alizada stated she left “her entire household, her homeland, her all the pieces.”
About her new life in Utah, Alizada says that “all the pieces is new right here.”
She continues to be studying English as she adjusts to life in Utah along with her son. Alizada has been supplied lodging within the type of a house and requirements for six months. She says that the folks and tradition of Utah are very totally different from what she is used to in Afghanistan, and she or he misses her compatriots who stay there. She has discovered a group amongst different Afghan refugees in Utah, together with some neighbors.
Whereas grateful for the help she has acquired in her resettlement to Utah, Alizada actually desires “to handle herself.” She hopes to work part-time as she improves her English, after which transfer to full-time work to supply for herself and her son.
Alizada calls on Utahns and all Individuals to assist Afghanistan and Afghans in “each manner they will,” but in addition to hearken to her ache and the ache of all Afghan ladies. She fought and sacrificed a lot not only for Afghanistan, however for U.S. pursuits and combatants as effectively.
Utahns impressed by Alizada’s loyalty to her nation and our personal can contribute to her continued well-being and that of different Afghan feminine fighters on the PenFed Basis web site. By doing so, locals can welcome her to Utah and thank her for her service to our nation and army.
