Majority of public opposes Turkey's military presence in Afghanistan

Some 62 percent of the population thinks Turkish troops should leave Afghanistan, a recent poll revealed. The rate of respondents in favor of the troops' withdrawal was higher among voters of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) than among supporters of the ruling AKP.

Friday August 20 2021 03:26 pm

Duvar English

Some 62 percent of the public is in favor of Turkey's withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, a recent survey by private pollster Metropoll revealed on Aug. 20.

Afghanistan went under the rule of the Taliban on Aug. 15 as the extremist group took control of the capital Kabul, sending the public into panic as thousands sought to leave the country.

American troops withdrew from Afghanistan after a years-long presence in 2021 as President Joe Biden took office, a move that is widely viewed as a catalyst for the Taliban's rise.

Some 61.6 percent of survey respondents said "yes" in response to a question asking whether they thought Turkish troops should leave Afghanistan, following in the steps of the United States.

Only 27.4 percent of respondents said the Turkish military should remain in Afghanistan, while 11 percent said they didn't have an opinion on the topic.

More of the Nationalist Movement Party's (MHP) voter base supported a withdrawal in comparison to supporters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), with 64.8 percent of respondents from the MHP saying Turkey should withdraw versus 46.7 percent of AKP participants.

Topics Afghanistan Afghanistan-Turkey Turkey Turkish AKP