KABUL, 12 November 2021, (TON): Iran is sending tens of thousands of Afghan migrants back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan every week despite the threat of famine, aid agencies and witnesses say, with many Afghans alleging they have been mistreated by Iranian authorities.

During decades of conflict, millions of Afghans have crossed into their western neighbour seeking to escape violence and a shattered economy.

The Taliban takeover of Kabul in mid-August has compounded the crisis, disrupting international aid flows just as a severe drought has left more than half of the population facing acute food shortages.

But, despite the dire conditions awaiting them, Iran continues to force Afghans back over the border.

Returning Afghans who spoke to AFP reported being held in crowded, filthy detention camps where some were beaten before being transported to the border crossing.

“They did not see us as humans,” said 19-year-old Abdul Samad, who said he had been working in construction in Iran before he was deported.

Samad told media  at the border he was beaten by Iranian authorities in a migrant detention camp because he had no money to pay for his deportation.