Turkey sends military aid to Afghanistan

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are assisting the Afghan National Armed Forces in establishing three batteries of artillery, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported on Sunday.

The report said the TSK granted 24 howitzer artillery to Afghanistan on May 9, 2007, adding that Afghan personnel who will be in charge of the batteries will get trained in Turkey.

In April, Turkey took over the regional Kabul Command under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from France.

The number of Turkish troops in Afghanistan increased to 1150 as 400 more personnel were added to it after Turkey assumed the command.

The 400 new Turkish troops, including 65 officers and non- commissioned officers, were assigned to provide services in logistics and communications areas.

The Kabul Regional Command was formed under the joint leadership of Turkey, France and Italy on August 2006, carrying out mission in parallel with works of ISAF to assist the Afghanistan government in security and restructuring.

The Command will help enhance the authority of Afghan government, restore stability and security in Kabul, assist Afghanistan to become self-sufficient, and maintain regional stability.

Source: Xinhua