In a bid to revive relations with the United States (US), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has offered to help protect a critical airport in Kabul. His offer comes amid a surge in violence and the Taliban taking control of key districts in Afghanistan as American troops withdraw.
On Thursday, Erdoğan said the US and Turkey had agreed on the exact “scope” of the Turkish troops’ role in protecting the Hamid Karzai International Airport. The announcement comes after several rounds of talks between US President Joe Biden and Erdoğan during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in June. The Hindu quoted a Turkish diplomat saying that his country wants to ensure that “Afghanistan is not close to the outside world.”
Ensuring that the Taliban does not take control of this airport is of strategic relevance because it provides the safest access to envoys and diplomats for arrival and evacuations, and also a route for humanitarian aid into the country. As US and NATO troops continue to withdraw their forces, the airport, like other strategic locations, runs the risk of being captured by the Taliban.
While making the announcement, Erdoğan also mentioned that he intends on using Pakistan’s help. According to a senior Pakistani official quoted by the Financial Times, in exchange for “logistical support and passage” to Turkish troops, Pakistan expects “intelligence-sharing on Afghanistan.” With the Pakistani government’s historical pro-Taliban stand, it remains to be seen how this partnership materialises.
However, the Taliban has responded negatively to reports suggesting the possibility of Turkish troops being brought in to secure the airport. On Tuesday, the Taliban called the decision “ill-advised” and a “violation of [Afghan] sovereignty and territorial integrity.” The statement added, “We consider the stay of foreign forces in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as an occupation.” The comments come as no surprise, as the Taliban aims to drive all international forces from Afghanistan and secure a dominant position in the Afghan government.
These developments come as Turkey attempts to persuade the US to rethink its decision to impose sanctions following Istanbul’s purchase of the S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia. The purchase also irked other members of NATO, who raised concern about Turkey’s commitment to the alliance. Turkey has always been a stakeholder in Afghanistan through its assistance to the NATO mission. Over the past 20 years, it has deployed 500 soldiers in non-combat missions to the war-torn country.
Earlier this week, the Daily Sabah reported that NATO’s Afghan Special Forces conducted a military training programme for its troops in Turkey. It was the first military training programme outside Afghanistan for soldiers from the war-torn country after the end of the NATO training mission there. The move is in congruence with NATO’s final declaration following the June summit that highlighted its commitment to continue to help the Afghan people and ensure peace and stability in the country following troop withdrawal.
Nevertheless, violent attacks continue to hamper peace and stability in Afghanistan. On Thursday, several commentators raised concern after two men, later identified as members of the Taliban, attacked and shot dead famous comedian Khasha Zwan. The Taliban has acknowledged that the attackers were members of the group. It is the latest incident in a series of violent and gruesome attacks to have raised fears among the people of Afghanistan, with several attempting to flee the country, fearing a complete takeover by the group.