KABUL (Pajhwok): Some Meshrano Jirga members on Sunday criticized the government for keeping mum over Afghans fighting in Syria, saying the issue should be seriously investigated.

A recent report released by Middle East Monitor or MEMO organization said more than 1000 Afghans sent to Syria by the Iranian government to fight in support of Syria president, Bashar Al-Assad, have been killed.

A senator from Panjsher province, Mohammad Alam Izdyar, about the Afghans deaths in Syria, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was responsible to seriously investigate the issue.

It should become clear who sent these Afghans to Syria, he said, adding if Iran was involved, then the issue should be followed through diplomatic channels.

Mohammad Ajan Mangal, a senator from Paktia province, said sending Afghan refugees to fight in Syria was a violation diplomatic principles. All countries had misused Afghans’ urgencies, he said.

He criticized the government and said, “The government is responsible to defend rights of its citizens and not let anyone use Afghans for their own goals.”

A number of other Meshrano Jirga members also asked the government to investigate the issue.

Chairman Fazal Hadi Muslimyar said, “It should be cleared whether Iran has sent Afghan refugees to fight in Syria or others,”

He also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to investigate the issue and share its report with the Meshrano Jirga and people.

If Iran was involved then its ambassador to Kabul should be summoned for clarification, he added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed concern over the issue and said investigations in this regard have been launched.

Based on MEMO report, each Afghan fighting in Syria was paid $500 as monthly salary, offered permanent residence in Iran and provided all other facilities by the Iranian government, the report said.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also previously said Iran sent thousands of Afghans to fight in Syria since 2013.

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