Turkey has deserted plans to seize Kabul airport following NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, however is able to help the Taliban’s request, two Turkish sources mentioned on Monday following the fear group’s victory in Afghanistan. Said amid the turmoil.
Turkey, which has 600 troops in Afghanistan, had provided to maintain them in Kabul for safety and operation of the airport after different NATO members withdrew, discussing particulars with Washington and President Ashraf Ghani’s authorities. Had been.
Plans fell into disarray over the previous two days after Ghani fled the nation on Sunday because the Taliban broke into Kabul and hundreds of Afghans additionally gathered on the airport on Monday hoping to flee.
The Taliban additionally warned Turkey towards putting troops in Afghanistan to function the airport – a warning that Ankara had rejected earlier than Islamist militants marched in direction of the capital.
“At the point of arrival, there is complete chaos at Kabul airport. The order has been completely disrupted,” one of many sources mentioned on situation of anonymity. “At this stage, the process of control of the airport by Turkish troops has automatically ended,” the particular person mentioned.
“However, if the Taliban asks for technical assistance, Turkey can provide security and technical assistance at the airport.”
The transfer to scrap the plans comes after Taliban insurgents swiftly conquered Afghanistan following US President Joe Biden’s determination to withdraw US forces after a 20-year battle that value billions of {dollars}.
Opposition events in Turkey have criticized the federal government’s plans, saying such a mission would threaten Turkish troops and calling for his or her speedy withdrawal amid an escalation in violence.
Until the Taliban’s entry into Kabul, Turkish officers had mentioned that Ankara was dedicated to the plans and would wait to see how occasions unfolded in Kabul earlier than making a last determination.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has known as for peace in Afghanistan and criticized the Taliban’s progress, mentioned final week he could meet with the Taliban as a part of efforts to finish preventing in Afghanistan.
Ankara noticed the airport’s mission as a possible space of cooperation that might assist heal strained relations with Washington and different NATO allies, which have been strained over a variety of points.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
