Why does Turkey seem so eager to protect Kabul airport in Afghanistan?

Many are curious to know who will ensure the operation and protection of the Kabul airport, Afghanistan’s gateway to the world. The Taliban announced they were making offers to Turkey and Qatar, while a US-based media company shared views, analyzing the latest situation in Afghanistan through Turkey and President Erdogan.

Said article, suggested that it was crucial to ensure control of the airport in order for Erdogan government to consolidate its place in Afghanistan. Ankara also wanted to ensure the security of the airport, but the Taliban considered this suggestion a “violation of sovereignty” and rejected it. However, Turkey’s Foreign Minister submitted a proposal to hire private companies for this task instead of soldiers doing the same job at the airport.

DOES IT SERVE BENEFIT OF ERDOGAN AS WELL AS TURKEY?

Said source also suggested that President Erdogan insisted that Turkey take the main role in the Kabul airport, which serves his own personal goals as well as Turkey’s interests.

Turkey is already hosting millions of refugees and one of the most pressing problems for Ankara is a new wave of migration from Afghanistan. Anger at refugees has spread among Turks, as shared by the same source and it is observed support for Erdogan has decimated day by day when economic problems are also added. Also, the political consequences of Afghan refugees could outweigh financial aid from the European Union – which would not be a favorable picture for Turkey, either.