Thu 02 September 2021:
Qatar is working with Turkey and talking with the Taliban for potential technical support to resume operations in Kabul airport, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Thursday.
“We are engaging with them (Taliban), and also working with Turkey if they can provide any technical assistance on that front. Hopefully in the next few days there will be some good news,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
He was speaking at a joint news conference with Britain’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in Doha.
“There is no clear indication when (the airport) is going to be fully operational yet … We remain hopeful that we will be able to operate it as soon as possible.”
Al Thani also urged the Taliban to live up to its promise to allow Afghans and foreigners to leave the country freely once the airport reopens.
Attacks in the past week have shown the airport is a target for terrorists, so security is the primary concern.
Since 2002, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have operated in Afghanistan under the United Nations, NATO and bilateral agreements to contribute to the peace, welfare and stability of the Afghan people. Turkey had more than 500 noncombatant troops stationed in Afghanistan as part of NATO’s now-abandoned mission in the war-torn country.
Turkey has been in Afghanistan in a noncombatant role for two decades and has been involved in consultancy efforts, reconstruction and maintenance. It has been operating the airport for six years.
