WASHINGTON: The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Afghanistan is being officially designated as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention” in response to the Taliban’s continued practice of holding individuals without legal justification. This designation follows growing concerns over the Taliban’s use of terrorism and unlawful detentions to extract political concessions.
Rubio condemned the Taliban through his statement because he explained that the US government would not give in to their methods. Rubio explained that terrorists from the Taliban organization who seek to gain political advantages through their attacks will not win because of this administration’s response.
Today, I am designating Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention. The Taliban continue to use terrorist tactics to seek policy concessions, but it won’t work under this administration. The Taliban must release Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, and all Americans unjustly…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 9, 2026
The Secretary of State singled out the cases of Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi, two Americans who are currently being detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Rubio demanded that the Taliban free all Americans who face unjust detention in Afghanistan together with Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi because he represents the US government’s intention to work for their release.
The US government has now designated Afghanistan as a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention which represents a fundamental change in its existing approach. The Taliban received a direct warning through this action which shows that their activities will face opposition.
The US government will pursue the immediate release of Americans who remain detained while using diplomatic and economic methods to hold the Taliban responsible for their international law violations, according to Secretary Rubio’s statement.
