ANKARA, Turkey — The Turkish government has officially concluded the diplomatic mission of Afghan representatives appointed by the previous pro-Western regime, according to a statement from the departing Afghan diplomatic team. This decision facilitates the Taliban’s opportunity to put forth their own diplomatic envoys in Turkey.
On Thursday, the Afghan team posted on X, indicating that they transferred the control of the embassy in Ankara to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Their statement emphasized that Turkey’s decision stemmed from intense pressure exerted by the Taliban on both the Afghan diplomats and Turkish officials involved.
No immediate comment was provided by representatives from Ankara regarding this development.
This move marks another significant diplomatic achievement for the Taliban, who have diligently worked to assume command of Afghanistan’s embassies and consulates around the globe since taking power over three years ago. With their recent success in Turkey, the total number of diplomatic missions under Taliban control has now exceeded 40.
According to the departing Afghan diplomats, the Turkish government’s choice to terminate the mission is a result of persistent pressures faced by the embassy staff and Turkish officials from the Taliban, aiming to consolidate control over Afghan diplomatic missions.
The Afghan diplomats mentioned that this decision was made to ensure Turkey could maintain its embassy presence in Kabul and in the consulates located in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat.
In a response from the Taliban-led Foreign Ministry in Kabul, it was remarked that changes in diplomatic personnel across countries’ embassies are standard practice. A senior official, Zakir Jalali, affirmed that “the Embassy of Afghanistan in Ankara continues its activities as usual and is at the service of its citizens and other clients.”
Last year, the Taliban declared their non-recognition of diplomatic installations established by the former government which was backed by Western nations. Consequently, most global powers have yet to acknowledge the Taliban as the legitimate governing authority of Afghanistan.
Despite the ongoing tensions between the Taliban and Western nations, primarily over severe restrictions imposed on the rights of women and girls, Afghan authorities have been fostering relationships with key regional players, including China, Russia, and prosperous Gulf states.
