Exclusive: Tajikistan's Security Chief Meets Taliban Members in Kabul

Saimumin Sattorovich Yatimov, the head of Tajikistan's State Committee for National Security, visited Kabul and met Taliban’s intelligence officials.

Diplomatic sources have confirmed that Yatimov travelled to Kabul in August, where he held discussions with Taliban officials about strengthening relations between Tajikistan and the Taliban.

Diplomatic sources told Afghanistan International that Yatimov is Tajikistan's highest-ranking intelligence official and visited Kabul on the orders of President Emomali Rahmon.
Upon his return to Dushanbe, Yatimov reportedly described his trip as "productive."

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, several former Afghan military personnel and political opponents of the group have sought refuge in Tajikistan. Many leaders of the Afghan National Resistance Front currently reside in Tajikistan.

Tajikistan has been critical of the Taliban over the past three years. President Rahmon has expressed concerns that despite their promises, the Taliban remain opposed to forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan. In 2022, Rahmon stated that the Taliban pursues an aggressive, discriminatory policy against various ethnic groups in Afghanistan.

President Rahmon also warned that Afghanistan, particularly its northern provinces, has become a breeding ground for international terrorism.

Additionally, Tajikistan's Interior Minister has accused the Taliban of issuing Afghan passports to more than 3,000 "members of terrorist groups”.

As the activities of ISIS-Khorasan in Afghanistan have increased, Taliban officials have accused neighbouring countries, including Tajikistan, of supporting ISIS.