The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) announced Sunday that its delegation is attending the 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the Gambian capital Banjul.

The two-day summit of the heads of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation started on Saturday. World leaders from the 57 member countries of the OIC and beyond are expected to attend, said the OIC in a statement ahead of the summit.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said that its spokesman and head of the department of international organizations of the ministry are representing the IEA at the OIC summit.

The statement said that in addition to participating in the general session, the delegation will meet with high-ranking officials of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and representatives of its member countries to discuss various issues.

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has welcomed Turkey’s move to suspend trade with Israel over its war on Gaza.

Muttaqi expressed his appreciation during a meeting with Turkish Charge d’Affaires Cenk Unal in Kabul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released Sunday.

The meeting also focused on bilateral relations, recent positive developments in Afghanistan, the visits of political and economic delegations to Afghanistan from several countries.

FM Muttaqi underlined the commencing of trade with Turkey through the Lapis Lazuli route and opening of joint exhibitions in Turkey and Afghanistan.

According to the statement, the Turkish envoy said that they are happy with the recent developments in Afghanistan, and joined efforts need to be made for the further expansion of Turkey-Afghanistan relations.

He added that in the next few days, Turkish Airlines will commence its flights to Kabul.

The two sides reiterated promoting synergy to meet the expectations of the people of the two countries, given the historical backdrops and good bilateral relations, the statement said.

The Islamic Emirate has announced the appointment of a delegation headed by Chief of the Army Staff Fasihuddin Fitrah, amid protests in Badakhshan province over the killing of a local resident by security forces during poppy crackdown.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, emphasized in a statement that the decree banning poppy cultivation extends to all regions without exception.

“Regrettably, there have been incidents where offenders attempted to attack the security forces involved in the fight against poppy cultivation, resulting in tragic events,” he said.

The delegation includes Shamsuddin Shariati, the head of overseeing and monitoring directives and commands, Mullah Abdul Haq, deputy minister of narcotics control, Mullah Rahmatullah Najib, deputy general director of intelligence, and Abdul Momin, chairman of the Badakhshan Ulema Council.

Darayem district of Badakhshan has seen protests against the Islamic Emirate in recent days.

The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that one of the local people was killed in a clash with the forces tasked to destroy poppy fields in the district.