Taliban says it will not allow Turkish troops to stay in Afghanistan

Duvar English

The Taliban has said through their spokesperson that they will not let any foreign forces in Afghanistan, including Turkey. 

"We have already rejected Turkey's position and have said that after the U.S. withdraws from Afghanistan, we will not allow any other foreign forces to remain in the country under any circumstances," Sputnik quoted Zabihullah Mujahid as telling Russia's Ria Novosti news agency on July 22.

"We asked Turkey to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan. If Ankara contributes to the advancement of negotiations and improves the situation in Afghanistan, we would be pleased with it, but we will not allow Turkey to be in Afghanistan," he added.

The Taliban spokesperson's comments came a day after he told Turkish public broadcaster TRT's Arabic channel that the militant group considers Turkey as their "brother" and "shares many common points based on belief." 

“We want good relations with Turkey. Turkey is our brother," Mujahid told TRT Arab on July 21. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on July 20 said that Turkey-Taliban talks would overcome any problems and should be more comfortable than past U.S.-Taliban talks.

"They need to hold talks with Turkey just like they did with the U.S., but more comfortably because Turkey doesn't have anything that contradicts their beliefs," Erdoğan said on July 20, apparently citing Islam as the common ground between the parties. 

Turkey has offered to deploy troops to the Kabul airport after NATO fully withdraws and has been in talks with the United States for several weeks.

The Taliban, who have gained territory as U.S.-led foreign forces pull out, have warned Turkey against it.

Erdoğan acknowledged that the Taliban had reservations but said Turkey would nonetheless carry out the mission as long as the United States, a NATO partner, meets three specific Turkish requirements.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan with an iron fist from 1996 to 2001 and have fought for 20 years to expel foreign forces, topple the Western-backed government in Kabul and reimpose Islamic rule.

The Taliban, emboldened by the departure of foreign forces by a September target, have called Turkey's plan reprehensible. Ankara and others have said the airport must stay open to preserve diplomatic missions there.

Erdoğan on July 19 said the Taliban should "end the occupation." 

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