MONITORING (SW) – The Taliban have condemned Turkey’s decision of extended military presence in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the Taliban on Tuesday deemed it detrimental to both sides amid withdrawal of foreign troops from the war-ravaged country. The Taliban also warned they will take a stand against the Turkish troops in Afghanistan if the move to keep troops in Afghanistan beyond September 2021 is not reversed.
“The decision of Turkish leadership is ill-advised, a violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity and against our national interests. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns this reprehensible decision in the strongest terms as it will induce problems between Turkish and Afghan nations. And we strongly urge Turkish officials to reverse their decision due to it being detrimental for both countries”, it said.
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The Taliban added that it considers stay of foreign forces as occupation, “and invaders will be dealt with on the basis of the fatwa of fifteen hundred distinguished scholars issued in the year 1422 Hijri Lunar (2001) – a fatwa under which the past twenty-year Jihad has been waged”.
It also urged the Turkish people and its astute politicians to raise their voices against this decision.
Following the first bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden during a NATO leaders’ summit in early June, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Turkish troops could continue to stay at Kabul airport to guard it and assist NATO’s withdrawal.
“If Turkish officials fail to reconsider their decision and continue the occupation of our country, the Islamic Emirate and the Afghan nation – in line with their religious, conscientious and patriotic duty – will take a stand against them as they have stood against the two-decade occupation, in which case the responsibility for all consequences shall fall on shoulders of those who interfere in the affairs of others and make such ill-advised decisions”, warned the Taliban.
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