Turkey doesn't need to send new soldiers to Afghanistan, says defense minister

Photo: AA

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Turkey is not in a situation to send new soldiers to Afghanistan as part of its agreement with the US for the protection of Kabul Airport, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said yesterday (June 23).

Speaking to reporters in parliament, Akar said a US delegation will pay an official visit to Turkey today to discuss a proposal for Turkey's troops to stay in Afghanistan for the security of the airport in the capital Kabul after NATO forces withdraw from the war-torn country.

Akar noted that Turkey already has a presence in Afghanistan, saying: "At the moment, we're not in any situation to send [new] soldiers."

Turkish forces have already been protecting Kabul airport for six years, Akar said. "We continue our work and contacts to maintain our presence there or not."

He added: "Everything is for the safety and well-being of the Afghan people, our Afghan brothers and sisters."

Taliban has been making ground in Afghanistan since Biden announced that all the US forces would withdraw from the war-torn country by September 11, with NATO allies to follow suit.

Biden and Erdoğan discussed the issue at last week's NATO leaders' summit in Brussels.

Ankara has been running the military and logistics operations of the Kabul airport for six years as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

Turkey, whose forces in Afghanistan have always been non-combatant troops, has reportedly offered to guard the airport, as questions remain on how security will be assured along major transport routes and at the airport, which is the main gateway to the capital. (PT/VK)