US, Turkish officials meet to discuss security plans for Afghan airport

U.S. and Turkish officials met in Ankara on Thursday to discuss security plans for Kabul’s airport following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said a technical delegation from the U.S. had arrived for talks about the Hamid Karzai International Airport, which is the main gateway into Afghanistan, according to The Associated Press.

Akar reportedly said, “We will continue to take on the responsibility of operating the Hamid Karzai International Airport, which we have been doing for the past six years, if the necessary conditions are met.”

“We want to achieve the best result for the interests of our country and for those of Afghanistan. That’s what we are working for. Our aim is to continue working for the security, peace and welfare of our Afghan brothers,” he continued.”

Turkey has offered to guard and run the airport, and has been discussing logistics and financial support for the mission. On Wednesday, Akar said that Turkey would not be sending additional troops to Afghanistan as part of the plan.

“At the moment, we already have a presence there and it is out of the question for us to send any soldiers there in any way now,” he said, according to Reuters.

The discussions come as the Biden administration is on track to meet its goal of withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that sparked the conflict.

President Biden is hosting Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the White House on Friday.