'Hope is gone' - Afghan man living in Cork has lost family members in conflict

Bilal, who works in Cork City, said that he lost an aunt, cousin and school friends, in a recent attack in his local city

Bilal Jalil from Afghanistan the situation in the country at the moment is a “very bad”. Picture: Dan Linehan

An Afghan man living in Cork said he has lost family members in a bomb attack during the recent conflicts in the country.

Bilal Jalil, who works in Cork City, said that he lost an aunt, cousin and school friends, in a recent attack in his local city.

He said that the situation in the country at the moment is a “very bad” one saying that his family members died in a bomb attack.

He added that his brother is currently in hospital and a cousin lost his leg.

Around 18 people died in that attack, Bilal told Red FM.

Afghanistan has been plunged into violence in recent months, culminating in the Taliban seizing control of the capital on Sunday from the Western-led government.

Following months of fighting, the Taliban swept through Kabul at the weekend, causing President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country.

Bilal said that he has settled in Cork and was glad that he was here as it was safer, although he was struggling with his family’s situation.

He said that he had been hopeful for the future of the country but now his “hope is gone”.

“My family right now is struggling,” he added.

Bilal, who is known to people as Billy, has been living in Cork since 2016.

The 27-year-old runs his own shop, Cool Ireland, in the city centre where he sells things like handbags and mobile phone accessories.

He told the Irish Examiner that he had spoken to his father on Monday afternoon who said that the fighting was ongoing in his village of Maidan.

Taliban fighters take control of Afghan presidential palace in Kabul. Picture: AP Photo/Zabi Karimi)

He said that he has not been able to speak to his brother in hospital as he is in shock.

Bilal said that he told his family to take it day by day and said that he is hoping his family will be able to get out of the country.

He said he was trying to speak to solicitors or TDs to see if there is a scheme to get them to Ireland.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said earlier today that Ireland has agreed to waive visas for 45 citizens trying to escape the country, some of whom were already after crossing the border into Pakistan.

Simon Coveney added that a decision has been made to take in an additional 100 to 150 refugees.

“We will be prioritising human rights workers, media workers and women and girls, the vulnerable," he said.

The Minister said he suspected that Ireland would have to do more as “those numbers are very small.” 

Bilal said that he can’t contact his family over the internet as it has been shut down so he has to spend money to get credit to call them.

“Everyone is inside. No one is allowed to go out.”