Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Turkey Extends Command in Afghanistan

Turkey Extends Command in Afghanistan

KABUL - Turkey, acting upon NATO's request, has agreed to lead the Kabul Regional Command (RCC) for one more year.
Taking into account Afghanistan's special place for Turkey and the central role played by the RCC in establishing security and stability in Afghanistan, Turkey has decided to extend its term in the RCC leadership until November 2012, said a written statement made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the statement it was pointed out that as a troop contributor to Afghanistan since 2001, Turkey had assumed command of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) twice, in 2002 and 2005 and also led the RCC for eight months in 2007.

Furthermore, on Nov. 1, 2009, Turkey once more assumed responsibility of the RCC. In the Foreign Ministry's statement it was also noted that it was "as a result of the Turkish Armed Forces' outstanding success and the close ties it forged with the Afghan people" that Turkey has been asked by NATO authorities to continue leading the RCC for another year.

The Foreign Ministry's statement went on to say that the decision constituted yet another important example of the contributions made by Turkey, "first and foremost in the training of the Afghan security forces, to create conditions conducive to sustainable security and stability in a friendly and brotherly country like Afghanistan." (Agencies)