Turkish president added that the Taliban are not opposed to Ankara securing Kabul airport
The radical Taliban (banned in the Russian Federation) are not opposed to Ankara protecting the Kabul airport. The opinion was voiced by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan at a press conference in Istanbul on Monday. The broadcast was carried by TRT television channel.
“There have been no statements that the Taliban do not want [to see] Turkey [in Afghanistan]. “The Taliban are very well aware of the Turkish administration’s position on this issue. We have certain plans, and we are sticking to them. We hope that we will have talks with the Taliban”, – he stressed.
He also called the Taliban’s “occupation activities” wrong and called for an end to them.
After the announcement of US President Joe Biden about the end of the US operation in Afghanistan and plans to withdraw the troops, the situation in the country sharply worsened. On 13 July, the Pentagon reported that more than 95% of American troops had been withdrawn from Afghanistan. At the same time, the Taliban, according to its representatives, have managed to control 85% of the territory of the republic, including areas along the border with five countries – Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Meanwhile, July 13 Afghan television channel 1TV cited a statement by the Taliban stating their readiness to attack the Turkish forces if they remain in Afghanistan. The Taliban called on the Turkish leadership to abandon its decision, which “creates problems between the Muslim peoples of both countries”.