Turkey ready to discuss possible presence in Afghanistan with Taliban — Erdogan

Turkey has planned to hold negotiations with the Taliban movement (banned in Russia) regarding its possible military presence in Afghanistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Earlier this summer, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said no final decision was made yet on Ankara’s possible assistance with securing the Kabul airport after the U.S. troop’s withdrawal.

At the same time, Afghan armed forces’ spokesman, Gen. Ajmal Shinwari, said that Afghan forces would be in charge of ensuring airport security.

The Taliban opposed the deployment of Turkish troops and saw it as a violation of sovereignty.

“The Taliban did not say that they do not want (Turkish troops presence), they are well aware of our position.

“We have plans and we are implementing them. Now our foreign ministry and I are taking these steps and I hope we will hold talks with the Taliban.

“We will see what will happen after that,” Erdogan told reporters.

The Turkish leader expressed the belief that the Taliban was behaving not the way some Muslims should behave towards others.

He urged the movement to abandon the occupation policy in relation to their own brothers.