Afghanistan: why does Turkey want to get the management of Kabul airport?

Satellite view of Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan (illustrative image).

© AP / Planet Labs Inc.

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

While the country is now in the hands of the Taliban, the departure of the Americans raises the question of the management of the Kabul international airport, an essential infrastructure for delivering humanitarian aid.

Turkey is in the midst of negotiations with the Taliban on this subject.

The latter proposed to the country of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to manage the airport.

If such an agreement is reached, the Turkish head of state hopes to reap several benefits on the international scene.

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With our correspondent in Turkey,

Anne Andlauer

Provided that the Taliban let them assure themselves the security of the civilians who will take care of the logistics of the airport of Kabul, the authorities of Ankara say they are ready to fulfill this risky mission.

When the local press asks them about their motivations, Turkish officials explain that it is a question of ensuring that Afghanistan " 

is not cut off from the modern and civilized world

 ", of "

 keeping political and economic channels open 

" and “ 

to help the Afghan people, a brother people

 ”.

Restoring the Turkish coat of arms

Turkey certainly hopes for economic benefits.

But here, this is not what drives Recep Tayyip Erdogan first and foremost.

A bit like he did last year in Libya, the Turkish president wants to impose his country as a key player on the regional scene, especially in the Muslim world.

He is also seeking to restore his image with the United States and within NATO, in the hope of reaping benefits on the domestic scene, where his party, the AKP, is in bad shape.

Limit migrations

Finally, by helping Afghanistan not to sink into chaos, it is a question of limiting as much as possible the migratory movements that the victory of the Taliban will not fail to provoke. 

See also: Afghanistan: Erdogan announces that Turkey has had talks with Taliban officials

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  • Afghanistan

  • Turkey

  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan

  • Diplomacy