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Source: https://apnews.com/9dadee87709e4c60ba8f7afe1caec81b
Afghans Recruited by Iran for Syria War Return Home as Pariahs
(AP) Kathy Gannon - Tens of thousands of Afghans were recruited, paid and trained by Iran to fight in support of Syrian President Assad. Iran brought Shiites from across the region to help save Assad, including Afghans, Pakistanis, Iraqis and Lebanese. With the 8-year war in Syria winding down, these soldiers-for-hire are returning to their homeland, where they are met with suspicion. Afghan security officials believe Iran is still organizing them - as a secret army to spread Tehran's influence. Mehdi, an Afghan veteran, now 21, says security agencies view them as traitors. "They say we are all terrorists." They also face violence from the brutal Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan, which views Shiites as heretics and vows to kill them.