King meets Afghan interpreters who helped UK forces during visit to Aberdeen

The King has met with Afghan interpreters who worked with the UK military during a visit to Aberdeen.

King Charles also chatted with refugees from Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan as he learned of the city's efforts to resettle displaced families.

The monarch visited the Scottish city to hear first-hand how Aberdeen City Council had been supporting people fleeing conflict in their homeland.

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The city council has worked with the UK and Scottish governments to provide accommodation and critical services such as health and education for more than 1,000 people from Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria.

The monarch met Burhan Vesal, who worked as an interpreter with the British Army in the south of Afghanistan.

He also met Mr Vesal's wife, Narcis, who plans to use her medical experience as an obstetric gynaecologist to work as a doctor in the UK, and their son Sapehr, seven, who is enjoying school in the city.

Mr Vesal told Forces News: "Working with military, it was my dream and when I find that they are hiring interpreters, I joined. It was a kind of service to my country.

"The hardest moment is leaving your home and leaving your family, but there was no option so I had to choose to leave the country."

Afghan civilians served as interpreters for British forces in Afghanistan's Helmand province from May 2006 until December 2014, using their linguistic and cultural expertise to protect troops.

In 13 years of British combat operations in Afghanistan, around 3,500 Afghan interpreters worked alongside personnel on the ground, performing a vital communication role.

Watch: Afghanistan veteran's castle-building project.

As Afghanistan collapsed in August 2021, and the Taliban took control of the country, many rushed to escape.

Many have sought sanctuary in the UK, under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).

It applies to locally employed staff and has replaced the 2010 Intimidation Policy.

ARAP runs alongside the 2013 Ex-Gratia Scheme, which offers relocation to the UK, five years of training and a monthly stipend or the equivalent of 18 months' salary.

The Ex-Gratia Scheme, running until 30 November 2022, involves strict criteria on who can apply to live in the UK, considering the length of service and the precise role played.