Taliban Requests Control Of Afghan Embassy In US During Talks With American Delegation
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, stated that Taliban officials discussed several issues during recent talks with a US delegation.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, stated that Taliban officials discussed several issues during recent talks with a US delegation.
In an interview with Al Arabiya on Tuesday, Mujahid confirmed that the Taliban requested the US hand over control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington. The Taliban also asked the US to reopen its embassy in Kabul.
The Taliban spokesperson said they are awaiting a response from the US delegation.
Last week, a US delegation visited Kabul, led by Adam Boehler, advisor to Donald Trump on hostage affairs. Former US envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad was also part of the delegation. During their visit, they met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
After the US visit, the Taliban released George Glezmann, an American citizen who had been held captive. Following Glezmann’s release, the US removed bounties previously placed on Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani and two other Haqqani network members.
Mujahid called the removal of these bounties a positive step toward better relations with the US.
He emphasized the reopening of Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington to provide consular services to Afghans in the US. Mujahid also expressed hope for reopening the US embassy in Kabul. He stressed the need to improve bilateral ties based on mutual interests.
The US closed its embassy in Kabul following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. Currently, US diplomats handling Afghan affairs operate from Qatar.
Mujahid confirmed that the US delegation returned home with requests and demands from the Taliban. However, he did not disclose further details and said the Taliban is waiting for the US to take the next step.
The US continues to demand the release of Mahmood Shah Habibi, an Afghan-American former official who remains in Taliban custody. Washington has also cooperated with the Taliban on intelligence against ISIS.
Over the past three and a half years, the US has provided nearly $3 billion in aid to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The Taliban expects this aid to continue.
