Turkey orders closure of Afghan embassy amid diplomatic tensions

The Afghan Embassy in Turkey has announced its closure following a decision by Turkish authorities, marking the end of its operations after more than three years of functioning independently from the Taliban-controlled government.

In a statement posted on X, the embassy confirmed that the shutdown was due to a “decision by the host country.” It further detailed the challenges it faced since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, including “failed attempts by the Taliban to take control of the embassy and continual pressure put on the diplomats and employees of this embassy, as well as the pressure put on the Turkish government.” The statement added that Turkey’s foreign ministry ultimately decided “to end the mission of the ambassador to the Republic and this embassy’s diplomats.”

Despite the official announcement, the embassy remained operational throughout Thursday. Neither Turkey’s foreign ministry nor Afghan diplomats provided any statements when contacted by Agence France-Presse (AFP). However, a security guard at the embassy attributed the closure to the fact that “it does not comply with the Taliban regime.”

In its farewell message, the embassy cited “the lack of a legitimate government based on the people’s will” in Afghanistan as a key reason for its closure. It also expressed gratitude to Turkey for its “support these last years.”

While Turkey has now severed ties with the Afghan diplomatic mission in Ankara, it continues to maintain an embassy in Kabul and consulates in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and Herat in the west.