KABUL: The Taliban on Monday warned Turkey against keeping its troops in Afghanistan to run and guard the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, adding that any country that opted to retain soldiers in the war-torn country after the US and NATO withdrawal would be treated as an “occupier.”
Turkey has more than 500 troops in Afghanistan as part of a non-combat NATO mission, with some soldiers training Afghan security forces and others serving at the international airport in the capital.
As NATO’s only Muslim member, Turkey’s non-combat troops have rarely been attacked by the Taliban or other insurgent groups in Afghanistan, with Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, telling Arab News on Monday the group wanted “normal ties” with Ankara.
However, he rejected Ankara’s proposal that its troops stay behind to oversee Kabul airport’s operations.
“Turkey has been in Afghanistan for the past 20 years with NATO, and if it wants to remain now, without any doubt, we regard it as an occupier and will act against it,” Mujahid said. “We have lots of commonalities with Turkey…and they are Muslim, but if they intervene and keep its troops, then it will bear the responsibility.”
On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara had reached a conditional deal with Washington to take over security of Kabul airport after the withdrawal. But Ankara says it cannot carry out the mission without support and would need additional troops for it.
Since the drawdown of coalition forces began on May 1, the Taliban have made rapid territorial gains against Afghan government forces in several regions, including areas near Kabul.
The Taliban’s advances have stoked fears about security in Kabul and its airport, which has come under rocket strikes by both Taliban and Daesh affiliates in the past, despite the presence of coalition forces at the facility.
The airport’s security is crucial for military and civilian flights and the safe passage of international aid groups and diplomats residing in Afghanistan.
An Afghan defense ministry spokesman said Kabul airport had been fitted with an air defense system to counter incoming rockets over the weekend.
“This system installed at Kabul airport, [which] has been tested in other parts of the world, will be highly effective in foiling rocket attacks on Kabul airport as well,” Fawad Aman said.
Taliban say will consider Turkey an ‘occupier’ if it retains troops at Kabul airport
https://arab.news/5ep6q
Taliban say will consider Turkey an ‘occupier’ if it retains troops at Kabul airport
- Spokesman says Turkey to “bear responsibility” if it decides to intervene and keep its troops to guard airport
- Ankara says has reached conditional deal with Washington to take over security of Kabul airport
At least 10 injured as blast hits mosque in Pakistani capital of Islamabad
- The blast occurred around the time of Friday prayers when a large number of worshippers gather at mosques
- It comes amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan, follows a suicide blast that killed 12 people in Islamabad in Nov.
ISLAMABAD: At least 10 people were injured after a blast hit a mosque on the outskirts of the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, police and local administration said on Friday.
The blast occurred at the mosque in Tarlai area around the time of Friday prayers, when a large number of Muslims congregate to offer the weekly prayers.
It comes amid a surge in militancy in Pakistan and follows a suicide blast that killed 12 people and injured 36 others outside a district court’s complex in Islamabad in Nov.
The injured persons have been shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, according to the Islamabad district administration.
“The site of the blast has been sealed,” a spokesman for the Islamabad district administration said.
Taqi Jawad, a spokesman for the Islamabad police, said the blast occurred at an imambargah.
“More details will be shared in due course,” he added.
— This is a developing story, more to follow shortly.
