By Bianet
Washington and Ankara have been discussing a plan for Turkey to continue running the Kabul airport after the US leaves Afghanistan.
Washington appreciates Turkey’s willingness to run Afghanistan’s Kabul airport following the withdrawal of the US-led forces from the country, the spokesperson of the US Department of State Spokesperson said yesterday (August 10).
“We are grateful that our Turkish partners have indicated a willingness to play a role in protecting that,” Ned Price told a press conference. “Of course, Afghan Security Forces have an important role to play, too. But nothing that we have seen diminishes the importance we place on a functioning, safe, secure Hamid Karzai International Airport.”
About the Taliban’s rapid advance in the country, Price said, “This is an issue that we have discussed, including at the highest levels, with our Turkish allies. President Biden discussed it with his counterpart, President Erdoğan … As we always do, we keep those discussions in confidence, but we do appreciate Turkey’s willingness to take on an important role.”
Turkey and the US have been in talks about a plan for Ankara to keep running the Kabul airport following the US’ withdrawal, which it has been doing for the last six years as part of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.
The plan was first discussed in mid-June, during the meeting of Erdoğan and US President Joe Biden at the NATO summit. Washington and Ankara have been in talks on the details of the plan.
“Kabul may fall within a month”
Meanwhile, Taliban vowed to have captured the Fayzabad city, the center of the northern Badakhshan province next to Tajikistan.
The group shared images of its armed fighters patrolling the streets and hoisting the white Taliban flag in the main square of the city.
Citing local sources, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported that the security forces went on retreat after overwhelming Taliban attacks for days.
“The province of Badakhshan with all its belongings has been ‘conquered’,” tweeted Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed.
The fall of the country’s capital may also come much sooner than expected, according to current and former US officials quoted by The Washington Post. The collapse of Kabul may occur within one to three months, several sources told the newspaper.
Seemingly undeterred by a heavy death toll, Afghanistan forces claimed to have inflicted on the insurgents, the Taliban continued with their advances on urban centers after capturing around 200 rural districts.
With this, Fayzabad became the ninth provincial capital after Aybak, Qala-e-Nau, Lashkargah, Zaranj, Sheberghan, Kunduz, Taluqan, and Sar-e-Pul to be partly or partially overrun by the Taliban.
After taking over nearly 200 rural districts last month, the Taliban launched assaults on major cities, marching on Herat, Kandahar, Taluqan, and Lashkargah, causing panic and anxiety among millions of civilians. (PT/VK)
