Turkish Ministry of Defense: Troops Have Started Leaving Afghanistan
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Taliban insists that Ankara's military also withdraw fully by the 31 August deadline.
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Turkey participated in a NATO mission in Afghanistan
Turkey's Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that it has begun withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan, a move that could jeopardize its plan to assist in the security of Kabul International Airport.
The Turkish Armed Forces will return home proud of their accomplishments in completing their mandate," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Earlier, two Turkish officials told Reuters that the Taliban have asked Turkey for technical assistance in running Kabul airport after foreign forces leave, but Ankara's military must also withdraw by the end of August deadline.
One official added that the conditional request by the Taliban, who came back into power in Afghanistan after 20 years of US invasion, leaves Ankara with a tough decision over whether to accept a risky job.
Turkey participated in a NATO mission in Afghanistan and still has hundreds of troops stationed at Kabul International Airport.
Furthermore, the Turkish officials stressed that they are ready to leave at any time.
Still, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's administration has stated for months that Turkish troops will keep a presence at the airport if requested.
Following the Taliban's takeover of the country, Turkey offered to provide technical and security assistance at the airport.
"The Taliban have made a demand for technical support in running the Kabul airport," a senior Turkish official said, adding however that Taliban's request for all Turkish troops to leave would complicate any future mission.
The Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, pressed that ensuring the safety of workers without the Turkish Armed Forces is a risky job.
Talks with the Taliban on the issue were ongoing, he said, adding that preparations for a troop withdrawal had been completed.
Another Turkish official stated that a final decision would be made by the August 31 deadline for foreign forces to leave the country.
Moreover, keeping the airport open after the withdrawal of foreign forces is critical not only for Afghanistan to remain connected to the rest of the world but also for aid supplies and operations to continue.
Earlier, two Turkish officials stated that their country was keen on managing Kabul airport despite the Taliban's gains.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, “Turkey is ready to hold talks with the Taliban if necessary, and I may even meet with its leaders in the coming period."
President Joe Biden and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan have lately agreed in a meeting that Turkey would take a lead role in securing Kabul airport as the United States withdraws troops from Afghanistan, USNational Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
The Taliban movement had lately warned that it would deal with foreign forces present in Afghanistan as an "occupying force", including Turkish forces after Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced that his country wanted to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.
