Ankara, Jan 7 (IANS): The Turkish parliament has authorized the government to continue posting Turkish troops in Afghanistan for two more years under a new NATO mission, media reported Wednesday.
The new legislation also grants the government authority to permit foreign army personnel to be transported to and from Afghanistan through Turkey, Xinhua reported citing the state-run Anatolian news agency.
"This is a training, advice and assistance mission," said Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz in his speech at the parliament Tuesday, adding that "there will be no combat operations".
Around 900 Turkish personnel will be serving in Afghanistan as part of the mission called Resolute Support launched Jan 1, 2015, said Yilmaz.
Turkey will also undertake the management of Kabul International Airport in the country's capital for a two-year term, which is used for both military and civilian purposes.