Turkey terminated the mission of Afghan diplomats appointed by Afghanistan’s former government, paving the way for the Taliban to appoint their own envoys, AP News reported.
The outgoing diplomatic team announced on X that it had handed over the Afghan embassy in Ankara to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday. In a strongly worded statement, the departing diplomats accused the Taliban of pressuring both the embassy staff and Turkish officials, leading to the decision.
Due to the failed attempts of the Taliban to gain control of the embassy and the continuous pressure on the diplomats and employees of this embassy, as well as their pressure on the Turkish government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey has recently decided to terminate the mission of the ambassador and diplomats of this embassy.
The move marks another diplomatic victory for the Taliban, who have sought to take control of Afghanistan’s overseas embassies and consulates since seizing power in 2021. With the Ankara embassy under their influence, the Taliban now oversee more than 40 diplomatic missions worldwide.
Despite this, most countries, including Turkey, have not formally recognised the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. The outgoing diplomats suggested that Turkey’s decision was motivated by a desire to maintain its own diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, including its embassy in Kabul and consulates in Mazar-e-Sharif and Herat.
Taliban’s response
The Taliban-led Foreign Ministry in Kabul described the change as a “normal practice” in diplomatic relations, according to Zakir Jalali, a senior ministry official.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, continues its activities as usual and is at the service of its citizens and other clients.
The Taliban have faced widespread international criticism for their restrictive policies, particularly regarding women’s rights. However, they have managed to establish ties with major regional powers, including China, Russia, and wealthy Gulf nations, as they seek to consolidate their control over Afghanistan’s diplomatic apparatus.
The termination of the former government’s diplomatic mission in Turkey underscores the Taliban’s growing influence on the global stage, even as their legitimacy remains contested by much of the international community.
