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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that discussions are ongoing as Turkey decides to help manage the Taliban’s request at Kabul Airport.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey had held its first meeting with the Taliban in Kabul, adding that Ankara was still evaluating proposals for armed groups to assist in operating the international airport.
The Turkish leader said that the discussion took place at a military facility temporarily stationed at Kabul Airport by the Turkish Embassy.
Erdogan told reporters: “We had the first meeting with the Taliban, which lasted three and a half hours.” “If necessary, we will have the opportunity to hold such talks again.”
As part of NATO’s mission, NATO member Turkey has deployed hundreds of soldiers in Afghanistan and has been responsible for airport security for the past six years.
In response to domestic criticism of Turkey’s contact with armed groups, Erdogan said that Ankara “has no luxury” to stand idly by in turbulent areas.
“If you don’t speak, you can’t know what their expectations are, or what our expectations are. What is diplomacy, friend? This is diplomacy,” Erdogan said.
Be “sucked in”
Turkey has been planning to help protect and operate the strategic airport in Kabul, but on Wednesday it began to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan-a clear sign that Ankara has abandoned this goal.
Erdogan said that the Taliban now want to supervise the safety of the airport, while giving Ankara the option of operating its logistics.
He said twins Suicide bomb In the last few days of the emergency evacuation work on Thursday, at least 110 people were killed outside the airport, including 13 US troops, indicating the importance of knowing the details of how to protect the aviation hub.
Erdogan said that before making a decision on the airport issue, Kabul should return to calm, adding that given the uncertainty of the tasks that may be performed, there is a risk of being “entangled” in some difficult to explain.
“They said:’We will ensure safety and you operate the airport’. We have not yet made any decision on this issue,” Erdogan said.
“Once calmed down, we will make a decision.”
Erdogan’s remarks come as the U.S. military is helping to evacuate Afghans who are eager to flee Afghanistan, and is preparing to complete the evacuation before the month-end deadline set by President Joe Biden, while preparing for more. Assault.
Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan this month, Ankara has so far evacuated at least 350 soldiers and more than 1,400 people from Afghanistan.
Turkey praised the Taliban’s moderate remarks since the occupation of Kabul on August 15.
Erdogan had previously criticized the Taliban for sweeping the country on their way to Kabul. He said that Turkey’s goal is to complete the withdrawal and withdrawal of troops as soon as possible.
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