Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Taliban said it would soon take full control of Kabul airport operations, Afghanistan. At least the operational takeover of the airport in the Afghan capital is targeted to be completed early next week.
As reported by AljazeeraThe Taliban is said to be seeking technical assistance to Qatar for the operations of Kabul airport.
In addition, as quoted from ReutersThe Taliban also asked Turkey for technical assistance to run Kabul airport after the deadline for the withdrawal of all foreign military forces was completed on Tuesday (31/8).
Earlier on Friday (27/8), two officials told Reuters said Turkey would not help the Taliban run Kabul airport after the withdrawal of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops. However, that would have been excluded had the Taliban agreed to the presence of Turkish troops.
The requirement was conveyed by Turkey after the deadly attack took place outside the airport. The incident highlights the dangers facing foreign troop missions to remain in Afghanistan.
Earlier, two senior Taliban figures cited anonymously by Reuters said their troops were already at Kabul Airport to take full control after US troops left.
One senior commando said Taliban forces had taken control of most of the airport, “not just a small part of where Americans still reside.”
Other senior officials said troops were ready to take over (the airport) in full.
“It’s only a matter of time,” he said, “Once the Americans leave, they just have to give us a signal and we’ll take over.”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said foreign militaries should be withdrawn from Kabul airport according to the targets promised by US President Joe Biden. Muhahid also said that his party had appointed a number of people to run the operations of a number of important institutions, from local governments, central banks, to public health.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the US Department of Defense or the Pentagon, John Kirby said the withdrawal of his troops from Kabul had entered the final phase. On Saturday (28/8), he confirmed that the withdrawal of the 5,800 troops deployed to assist in the civilian evacuation after the Taliban took control of Kabul, is now starting to leave the country.
He declined to provide details on the number of personnel remaining in Kabul at this time.
(Reuters/kid)
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