Taliban to seek Qatar’s help running Kabul airport
Report of request comes after Afghanistan's new rulers requested Turkey's assistance running Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The Taliban in Afghanistan will request Qatar’s help in running Kabul’s international airport after international forces leave, Al-Jazeera reported Friday, citing two Taliban sources.
The development comes as the Taliban wrapped up its first round of talks with Turkish officials over the same subject — providing technical assistance to keep the airport functioning.
Two Turkish officials told Reuters on Friday that Ankara will not help run the facilities unless Turkish forces are allowed a security presence at the airport.
The Taliban have rejected Turkey’s proposal to leave troops at Kabul airport. Turkish soldiers began withdrawing this week ahead of the US withdrawal deadline of Tuesday. The United States is preparing to withdraw its troops from Kabul airport by the end of the month in accordance with a prior agreement with the Taliban.
