PM Erdogan defends Turkish military presence in Afghanistan

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rebuffed criticism by the opposition of Turkish military presence in Afghanistan following the death of 12 Turkish soldiers in the war-torn country in a helicopter crash, defending Turkish missions in Afghanistan and other countries. "You can be a great country if you have great goals. Our military presence abroad is a symbol of peace, brotherhood and confidence. How can you say Turkey should question its presence in Afghanistan? Those who have a broad vision should be proud of our military presence abroad," Erdogan said on Wednesday during his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) parliamentary group meeting. "Who will be there if not Turkish soldiers?" Erdogan asked, adding that "Everyone should act responsibly and conscientiously in order to avoid using the Afghanistan martyrs for political purposes."