The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has claimed control of the Afghan embassy in Ankara, following a statement posted on the social media platform X by the embassy, announcing its handover to the Turkish government.
Despite this declaration, a Taliban foreign ministry official insisted that the embassy “continues its operations as usual.” On Thursday, Zaker Jalali, a Taliban representative, stated on X that the group’s “diplomats” at the Afghan embassy in Ankara would continue to carry out their duties with “transparency and commitment.”
Sources told Afghanistan International on Wednesday that the Turkish government was set to assume control of the Afghan embassy in Türkiye on Thursday. This development is reportedly the result of Taliban pressure, coupled with the refusal of diplomats from the former government to cooperate with Taliban-appointed officials.
Diplomatic sources in Türkiye, speaking to Afghanistan International, reported recent clashes between Taliban appointees and employees from the previous Afghan government at the embassy. According to available information, nine embassy employees were from the Republic era, while three were appointed by the Taliban.
A statement, allegedly issued by former diplomats and published on X, confirmed the handover, attributing it to Taliban pressure on the Turkish government and a decision by Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement further noted that all diplomats from the Republic era had now concluded their missions.
Findings by Afghanistan International indicate that the Taliban’s foreign ministry had previously attempted to seize control of the embassy around four months ago, deploying some of its diplomats to the mission.
