Afghanistan embassy sources dismiss reports of Taliban Doha office closure as ‘fake news’

Sources at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Qatar have dismissed circulating claims that the Taliban’s political office in Doha has been ordered to shut down, describing the reports as “fake news."

According to reporting by Doha News, authorities in Qatar have not requested the Afghan Taliban to close their office in the Qatari capital. The clarification comes after claims circulating on social media suggested that the Qatari government had instructed the Taliban leadership to shut its diplomatic operations over alleged links to militant groups.

The Taliban’s political office in Doha has played an important role in facilitating diplomatic engagement between the movement and the international community. Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the office has continued to serve as a platform for negotiations and discussions with foreign governments and international organizations.

With many foreign embassies still closed in Kabul, the Doha office remains a key channel for communication involving Afghanistan’s authorities and international stakeholders.

The rumors regarding the office’s closure emerged during a period of heightened regional tensions. Instability increased following cross-border strikes that escalated into what analysts described as an “open war” between Pakistan and Afghanistan in February 2026.

Despite these developments, diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan continues through various international channels. The United Nations continues to host the “Doha process," which serves as a platform for dialogue with Afghan authorities.

At the same time, the United States government has designated Afghanistan as a “sponsor of wrongful detention," reflecting ongoing concerns in Washington regarding governance and detainee issues.

Officials and diplomatic sources in Doha said the Taliban office remains operational and continues to facilitate communication between Afghanistan’s authorities and the international community.