Skip to main content

Intel: US engages Turkey over Kabul airport security

Ankara could leave some troops in Afghanistan if Washington provides support.
Turkish soldiers at Kabul airport

The Biden administration continues to talk with Turkish officials about Ankara’s proposal to take over security at Kabul International Airport after US and NATO forces leave Afghanistan later this summer.

The discussions come ahead of President Joe Biden’s planned first meeting since taking office with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan amid deteriorated ties between the two NATO allies.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Monday that Turkey could provide forces to secure Kabul’s airport after Western forces leave Afghanistan if his government’s “political, financial and logistical support” requests were met by allies.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday that he could not confirm those requests, but said to Al-Monitor that talks about the proposal continue.

US officials “have had ongoing discussions with Turkish leaders about their plans for security at the airport,” Kirby said, adding, “Obviously, this is a national decision that President Erdogan has to make and we respect that.”

“Security at the airport in whatever form … is going to be important not only for the United States, but for other nations to be able to maintain a diplomatic presence there in Kabul,” Kirby said.

Turkish officials expressed openness to the idea in principle during a NATO summit in Brussels last month.

Why it matters: The move could provide an opportunity to lay a stepping stone on the long path toward restoring close relations between the two allies.

The two have so far proven unable to compromise on disputes over US support for Kurdish-led fighters in Syria, whom Turkey considers terrorists, or on Ankara’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system, which the United States says could pose a threat to the alliance’s aircraft.

What logistical support the United States and NATO may be able to offer remains unclear. The Pentagon does not yet have a clear picture of what its capabilities in Afghanistan will be after withdrawal.

US officials are still seeking access to military bases in regional countries to continue “over-the-horizon” counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan. Officials have said Washington will only leave a small contingent of forces to secure the US Embassy in Kabul.

The Pentagon is also seeking authority from the Biden administration to continue airstrikes to support Afghanistan’s military if Taliban forces threaten to capture major population centers, The New York Times reported.

Reuters cited US officials as expressing some skepticism about the US ability to support the Turkish plan, but US officials are clearly open to engaging on the issue, as Kirby made clear Wednesday.

Turkey’s government had initially said it would remain in Afghanistan following the NATO departure. But officials in Ankara backtracked on that idea last month, raising concern among NATO member states who had hoped to leave embassies in the Afghan capital.

The Taliban have made startling gains against local security forces as Western forces withdraw their troops from the country. Some 150 members of the Afghan security forces were killed or wounded in attacks across the country in just 24 hours earlier this week, Afghan officials said.

What’s next: Biden is set to meet Erdogan at the NATO summit in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss an array of issues, ranging from Turkey’s potential future role in Afghanistan to Syria, Iran and tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki called the meeting “a priority” for Biden.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the president will seek ways forward on the two countries’ “significant differences on values and human rights” and that Biden looks forward to the opportunity “to review the full breadth of the relationship.”

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial