Turkey strikes agreement with Taliban to safeguard Kabul Airport, says Pakistan senator

Pakistani Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on Monday disclosed that a strategic agreement has been reached between Taliban and Turkey which would oblige Turkish troops to take over security of Kabul’s Hamid Karzai Airport. Soon after US President Joe Biden anunced troop pullout deline, Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan proposed to protect Afghanistan’s most crucial airport and or pivotal areas. However, stance appeared to dwindle following last week’s airport explosions. "Let's say you took over security but how would we explain to world if ar bloodbath takes place re? It's t an easy job,” he was quoted as saying by Anolu news ncy. 

However, speaking to Nation Senator, Syed touted that “well trained and skilled” personnel were required to run airport in aftermath of Taliban’s takeover and that Ankara h capability to do it. "US forces will be leaving by August 31, refore to run Kabul Airport and man its proper security, re has to be a well-trained multi-skilled team which performs this heavy task." He furr said that Turkish military has capability to do this which is why y h negotiated se things with Taliban.

He also said that formation of an early, inclusive Taliban government was crucial to region’s stability and security. Welcoming assurance given by Taliban on Afghanistan would t be turned into a terror base, Pakistani lawmaker asserted that Pakistan has to protect its national interests, specifically in field of safety and security. 

'Rey to co-operate'

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey was rey for any kind of assistance and cooperation with Afghanistan but would maintain a 'cautious' approach in doing so. After his return from Montenegro on Sunday, Erdogan told media that his country was rey to assist Afghanistan in short term, but it was important for Taliban to first display what kind of government y want to form, and what ir attitude towards  40 million population will be.

 “As Turkey, our objective is that Afghanistan should quickly recover. Afghan people can longer bear such a burden. It has a population of around 40 million and is a huge country. We are rey to give all kinds of support for Afghanistan’s unity and solidarity. As long as we see that approach in this sense from Afghanistan,"he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet News . 

(With inputs from ANI) 

(Im: AP)