Taliban warns Turkish forces against remaining in Afghanistan

Taliban warns Turkish forces

The Islamist group warned that Turkey's 'occupation' will 'provoke feelings of hatred and enmity in our country towards Turkish officials'.

The Taliban warned Turkey on Tuesday against remaining in Afghanistan despite the US pulling out of the country, threatening revenge attacks against Turkish forces in accordance with a fatwa.

"The continuation of Turkey's occupation will provoke feelings of hatred and enmity in our country towards Turkish officials, and will harm bilateral relations," read a statement issued by the group through its spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid.

The presence of Turkish armed forces in Afghanistan "is an occupation, and the occupiers will be dealt with according to the fatwa issued by 1500 distinguished scholars of Afghanistan" in 2001, warned the group.

A fatwa is an Islamic edict given by a recognised authority.

 

While the group said it wanted mutual respect with all countries, it urged Turkey and other powers not to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs.

The Taliban has carried out a sweeping campaign across the war-torn nation, taking over several districts. It claims to be in control of 85 percent of the country.

This has led Afghan forces to surrender and abandon their districts, with many fleeing to neighbouring countries.

US and other Western forces are expected to complete their pull' out by end of August, ending a 20-year presence in the country.

 

Source