Turkish defense chief joins Germany-hosted meeting

ANKARA

Turkey's national defense minister on Wednesday virtually attended a meeting hosted by Germany, according to the country's National Defense Ministry.

"Recent military developments in Afghanistan were discussed and views were exchanged during the meeting which was attended by Minister [Hulusi] Akar from Ankara," the ministry said on Twitter.

The virtual meeting was "hosted by Germany and attended by countries contributing troops to Afghanistan's Northern Region, which comes under the responsibility of Germany within the framework of NATO's RSM [Resolute Support Mission]".

On Dec. 16, 2020, the Turkish parliament approved extending the deployment of Turkish troops in Afghanistan for 18 months as part of NATO's support mission in the war-torn country.

In Jan. 2019, legislation was put into effect, allowing the Turkish government to send troops to Afghanistan to support the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission.

After the end of a 17-year combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, it evolved into a new NATO-led non-combat training and advising mission in support to the Afghan security forces and institutions, called Resolute Support.

Currently, Resolute Support consists of around 10,000 troops from 36 nations, including NATO Allies and partners.

The legislation, first passed in 2015, gives the government authority to permit foreign army personnel to be transported to and from Afghanistan through Turkey.