Rejected refugee sues state

A refugee from Afghanistan who was denied asylum in Norway and sent back to his homeland was suing the Norwegian government in an Oslo court this week, because he was arrested and tortured upon his return. The Norwegian authorities had claimed he’d be safe back in Afghanistan and had no need for protection. At issue [...]

Afghan interpreters granted asylum

The Norwegian justice ministry has granted asylum to 21 Afghan interpreters who worked for Norwegian forces during the NATO-led war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Taliban forces reportedly had threatened to execute them. “After a comprehensive evaluation, the ministry has decided that 21 of the applicants for asylum fulfill the requirements as refugees,” Pål Lønseth, [...]

Norway promises more Afghan aid

The leaders of Norway and Afghanistan exchanged promises in Oslo on Tuesday, with Norway committing billions in additional financial aid to the war-torn country over the next several years and Afghan President Hamid Karzai promising to make good use of it. Concerns continue, though, given the high level of corruption in Afghanistan and uncertainty over [...]

Norwegian military forces involved in response to new Kabul bombings

Norwegian soldiers still stationed in and around Kabul took part Monday morning in the response to attacks on the headquarters for the local traffic police. The Norwegian military (Forsvaret) reported that they came to the aid of Afghan special forces. Two suicide bombers reportedly attacked the building in Kabul housing the traffic police around 6am [...]

Norwegians join insurgents’ fight

UPDATED: Norway’s military intelligence chief has confirmed that Norwegian citizens have traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan, fought on the side of insurgents and even shot at NATO-led international troops that have included Norwegian soldiers. Their actions can lead to their arrest and imprisonment in Norway. On Wednesday, meanwhile, came news that a man from Fredrikstad [...]

Afghan pullout spurs debate, refugees

Six weeks after Norway officially withdrew most of its troops from Afghanistan, debate continues to rumble over the results of the country’s 11-year involvement in the war against terrorism and the Taliban. Norwegian authorities also reportedly now face asylum applications from scores of Afghans who worked for Norwegian defense forces. The debate began even before [...]

Afghan president drops Oslo visit

The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, has postponed his planned visit to Norway on Friday following this week’s attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The attack killed the US ambassador to Libya and several American diplomats. Karzai had planned to meet with Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg in Oslo as Norwegian troops withdraw from Afghanistan [...]

Worries rise over Afghanistan pullout

Top military officials claim Norway’s lengthy mission in Afghanistan has been accomplished, but some local Afghan leaders worry that security and safety will be much worse when the Norwegians leave the area where they’ve been based. The Taliban, they claim, is preparing for Norway’s pullout. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported on Tuesday that Rahmatullah Turkistani, said [...]

Stoltenberg wants to beef up NATO

As Europe struggles through its worst economic crisis in decades, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg wants to strengthen NATO. He led Norway’s delegation to the NATO summit in Chicago, and said he wants to boost Norway’s support to the alliance, both financially and otherwise. “It’s unsettling to hear about the big cuts in European defense [...]

Norway to start troop withdrawal

Norway’s Defense Ministry announced on Monday that it will begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan this autumn, several months earlier than scheduled. Norway will end its presence in Faryab province in northwestern Afghanistan and then concentrate on operations in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif instead. Original plans called for the Norwegian forces to remain in Faryab until 2013. [...]

Soldier wounded in Afghan clash

A Norwegian soldier was wounded after demonstrators outside the Norwegian military camp at Meymaneh in Afghanistan threw a hand grenade into the camp. Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) reported that the incident occurred when between 150 and 200 persons demonstrated to protest the burning of the Koran at the US military camp in Bagram earlier this week. [...]

Islamic demonstration faced boycott

UPDATED: Muslims themselves were urged to boycott a planned demonstration in front of the Norwegian Parliament on Friday by an Islamic group considered to be extremist. With only around 15 participants assembled and no action a half-hour after the demonstration was due to begin, it appeared the boycott call had an effect, or simply that [...]

Video threatens Crown Prince, Stoltenberg with ‘painful revenge’

A video published on the social media site Facebook threatens Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre with both “painful revenge” and death, in retaliation for Norway’s military involvement in Afghanistan. The video promotes a demonstration organized by an Islamic group and planned for Friday in front of [...]

Defense minister escaped bombing

New Norwegian Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide was still in Afghanistan on Tuesday when a series of suicide bombers went on the attack, but neither Eide nor other Norwegian soldiers were caught in the explosions. Eide had earlier briefed Norwegian troops on an earlier pullout from Afghanistan than initially planned. The bombings, which Eide described [...]

Norway winds down in Afghanistan

Norwegian military forces are getting ready to pull out of Afghanistan after years of participation in NATO-led operations and several casualties. Norway’s role is already in the midst of major change, while experts worry whether Afghan forces are ready to take over. Norwegian soldiers and officers will, in practice, be withdrawn from the front lines [...]

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