Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense said that it has installed an air defense system at Kabul airport. The installation of an air defense system at Kabul international airport takes place at a time when the Taliban insurgents have surged attacks on provincial capitals in the country.
Rohullah Ahmadzai, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, told Kabul Now that the air defense system was installed at Kabul airport on July 11.
Ajmal Omar Shinwari, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s armed forces, said that “foreign partners” have equipped Kabul airport with an air defense system, a defense shield that is vital for the safety of Kabul airport.
Shinwari, who was speaking at a news conference in Kabul yesterday, July 11, said the air defense system would protect the country’s only international airport against the possible shelling by the insurgents.
“The security and defense agencies are ready to defend their people and country at cost of their lives,” said a statement issued by Afghanistan’s armed forces.
The air defense system at Kabul Airport was installed while previously the NATO forces were operating at the airport using anti-missile, anti-artillery, and anti-mortar (C-RAM) systems.
With the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, Turkey announced that Turkish forces were prepared to undertake the responsibility to guard Kabul airport. Reccep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, confirmed that his country would take responsibility to protect Kabul airport.
Citing US officials, the Associated Press reported earlier “the U.S. has agreed to leave a C-RAM — or Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar system — at the airport, as well as troops to operate it, as part of an agreement with Turkey. The U.S. also plans to leave aircrew for helicopter support at the airport.”
The Taliban, however, reacted to Turkey’s proposal, demanding a complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan.
