KABUL: Taliban officials in Kandahar allegedly told Türkiye’s intelligence chief that sensitive and key issues could only be discussed in Kandahar, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The reported exchange comes amid renewed Pakistani military strikes and heightened regional security tensions involving Afghanistan.
According to the source, Taliban officials indicated that certain important matters were outside the authority of Kabul and could only be addressed in Kandahar. The claim suggests that Taliban decision-making on sensitive security issues may involve officials and authorities based in the southern province.
The details of the reported interaction, including the specific issues discussed and the identity of the Turkish official involved, were not immediately available.
Türkiye has maintained diplomatic and security contacts with Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Ankara has also engaged with Taliban authorities on issues including security, migration, humanitarian assistance and regional stability.
The reported incident comes as Pakistan and the Taliban remain locked in a serious security dispute. Pakistan has said its military operations are directed against militant infrastructure and groups it accuses of operating from Afghan territory. Taliban authorities have rejected Pakistan’s allegations and criticized its military actions.
The claim regarding the Turkish intelligence chief could not be independently verified, and no official statement from Turkish or Taliban authorities confirming the reported exchange was immediately available.
The episode highlights the complexity of Afghanistan’s internal power structure and the challenges faced by foreign governments seeking to engage with Taliban authorities on sensitive security matters.