Photo Gallery Afghan Workers Left in Danger by German Military

When the German military leaves Afghanistan, it will leave behind its Afghan employees -- some 1,700 of them -- including interpreters, drivers and kitchen staff. The Taliban has threatened to kill the collaborators.
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When the German military leaves Afghanistan, it will leave behind its Afghan employees -- some 1,700 of them -- including interpreters, drivers and kitchen staff. The Taliban has threatened to kill the collaborators. Here German soldiers on patrol near Mazar-e-Sharif.

Foto: REUTERS
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Islamists in the country see them as traitors for cooperating with foreigners. The Taliban has repeatedly declared that death awaits the "collaborators with the enemy." Many Afghan employees of NATO have already been murdered, while others could face grim prospects when their protectors leave. Here, Bundeswehr soldiers search for an improvised explosive device near Nahr-e-Sufi in 2012.

Foto: Maurizio Gambarini/ dpa
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The Western allies plan to withdraw their combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014, when the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission officially comes to an end. Now that the is winding down, local Afghan employees fear the revenge of their fellow Afghans more than ever. Germany benefited from its Afghan helpers for years, and now the Afghans are waiting for Germany to help them.

Foto: Christian Charisius/ dpa
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Graphic: The Bundeswehr in Afghanistan

Foto: DER SPIEGEL