Afghanistan designated ‘state sponsor of wrongful detention’
WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday designated Afghanistan as a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the Taliban of using hostage-taking as leverage against Washington.
“Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a state sponsor of wrongful detention,” Mr Rubio said in a statement issued on Monday evening. He alleged that the Taliban “continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions,” calling such actions “despicable tactics” that “need to end.”
The Afghan Taliban called the US decision to designate Afghanistan a “state sponsor of wrongful detention” regrettable, and said it wanted to resolve the matter through dialogue after the US demanded the release of US citizens held.
Rubio urged Kabul to free all detained US citizens, including Mahmood Habibi and Dennis Coyle.
Afghan Taliban say US decision ‘regrettable’
Warning Americans against travel to Afghanistan, Mr Rubio said: “It is not safe for Americans to travel to Afghanistan because the Taliban continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.”
He also demanded the immediate release of US nationals in Afghan custody. “The Taliban needs to release Dennis Coyle, Mahmoud Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan now and commit to cease the practice of hostage diplomacy forever,” he said.
The announcement came as Washington sharpened its criticism of Taliban policies at the United Nations Security Council, where US Ambassador Mike Waltz questioned continued international engagement and funding levels.
Addressing the Council, Mr Waltz said that “in light of the Taliban’s intransigence, we must carefully evaluate the utility of international assistance and engagement in Afghanistan.”
He noted that the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan “is the largest of any special political mission in the world, even after a reduction in its 2026 budget by 15 pc.”
“This council must consider carefully the funds we collectively provide for this mission’s budget when the mission’s female national staff are not even able to go into the office to work,” he said, referring to Taliban-imposed restrictions on women.
Citing a reported $1 billion humanitarian funding shortfall, Mr Waltz added: “I would submit that perhaps the international community would be more willing to fill that shortfall if the Taliban were not excluding half of its own population from basic rights and responsibilities.”
“Colleagues, the United States and dozens and dozens of countries dedicated and devoted billions of dollars, of time, and treasure, and the lives of its citizens to improve Afghanistan’s future,” he said.
“This council must continue to demand responsible actions from the Taliban. The people of Afghanistan deserve no less.”
Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2026