Turkey and Kabul Airport: A tempting but delicate mission

In addition to Qatar, Turkey is also being discussed as the operator of Kabul Airport. From the point of view of President Erdogan, there are a few points that speak in favor of it – but he is far from agreed with the Taliban on the terms.

Kabul Airport is Afghanistan’s most important bottleneck in the world. Thousands of refugees have been able to leave the country over the last few weeks – now it is closed. Turkey is being discussed as a new operator alongside Qatar. It has already secured the airport in recent years as part of the NATO mission, and other points speak in favor of it. But there is far from agreement with the Taliban on the terms.

Turkish-Afghan relations go back a long way. For example, the former Afghan King Aaanullah Kahn based his reforms on the founder of the Turkish republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. They are even said to have been friends, write the Turkish media close to the government these days.

A Taliban spokesman recently stated that they wanted to get along well with Turkey, and that the countries were brothers in the faith. It sounds similar with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he talks about the Taliban: “Turkey has no problems when it comes to faith,” he said. “And because that is so, I suppose that we can talk to them more easily and come to an agreement more easily.”

Years of experience

Easier than, for example, the USA. Turkey is the only NATO member with a predominantly Muslim population. So she could act as a mediator. That would strengthen their role in NATO – and that could also relieve the strained relationship with the USA somewhat.

Operating the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul seems to be a perfect fit. The Turkish army has years of experience there and was responsible for security as part of the NATO mission. But the Taliban’s offer has its pitfalls: “You have suggested that you take over the security of the airport and Turkey take over airport operations,” said Erdogan. “We have not yet decided on that. Because security is not yet guaranteed, it is life-threatening there.”

Turkey: Security is a priority

Under no circumstances does Erdogan want to be associated with another possible bloodbath at Kabul airport. Repairs are necessary, for example on the tower and the terminals. Turkey must send civilian personnel. The state airline Turkish Airlines is mentioned again and again, but other private operators are also conceivable. The Turkish government emphasizes that the safety of employees is a top priority. But the Taliban no longer want Turkish soldiers in the country.

The airport is important, for example, to fly out local staff who have worked for the West. The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also made this clear on his trip through the region. It is questionable whether they will dare to go there when the Taliban, from whom they are actually fleeing, control the entrance.

Many Turks do not want any more refugees

Aid goods are also supposed to reach Afghanistan via Kabul. Erdogan has a great interest in stabilizing Afghanistan and preventing even more refugees from entering his country. According to his information, there are already 300,000 living there, unofficially there is talk of significantly more.

“Turkey does not have the task, responsibility or obligation to be Europe’s refugee camp,” Erdogan said recently. In purely domestic politics, he can no longer afford to have the EU pay for it, for example. Many Turks do not want more refugees after the 3.7 million Syrians in their country, not even for money.

Erdogan also senses the opportunity to use the power-political vacuum that the USA is leaving in Afghanistan for himself, as he has already done, for example, in northern Syria. Here, too, he cooperates with Islamists. The opposition political scientist Ahat Andican asked indignantly on Turkish television:

A radical organization using terrorist methods like the Taliban – which in the 21st century have nothing in common with the values ​​of the civilized world, be it human rights, women’s rights, democracy and so on – should be rewarded with international recognition in return for controlling the airport will?

Erdogan: Don’t be in a hurry

In addition to more political influence in the region, Turkey is also pursuing economic interests in Afghanistan. At least that’s how the conservative journalist Güngör Yavuzarslan sees it, and said on television: “Our companies are present there. Taking into account the risks, but also the advantages, Turkey should stay there, whether with the intelligence service, the military or a number of Commercial enterprise. “

Here, too, Turkey has already gained experience, for example in northern Syria. Nevertheless, Erdogan hesitates. There is no rush to take flights to Kabul, he said last week.