The Taliban is currently the de facto governing authority of Afghanistan , with its leadership and main structures based in Kabul and across multiple Afghan provinces, especially in the south and east.

Quick Scoop: Where is the Taliban now?

  • The Taliban controls most of Afghanistan’s territory , including major cities like Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad, and others, after retaking the country in August 2021.
  • Its leadership (often referred to as the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”) operates primarily from Kabul and Kandahar , overseeing ministries, security forces, and provincial administrations.
  • Various Taliban units and commanders are spread across rural strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan, such as Kandahar, Helmand, Nangarhar, and Paktika, where the movement has historically had deep roots.

In short: when people ask “Where is the Taliban?” today, they’re mostly referring to the fact that the group runs the state apparatus inside Afghanistan, rather than being just an insurgent group hiding in the mountains.

Regional and conflict context (2025–2026)

  • The Taliban’s rule is centered inside Afghanistan , but it is deeply entangled in regional tensions , especially with neighboring Pakistan.
  • In early 2026, clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border (the Durand Line) escalated, including cross‑border strikes and Pakistani talk of “open war” with the Afghan Taliban government.
  • Pakistani airstrikes have reportedly hit Taliban- and Pakistani Taliban–linked camps and targets in Afghan border provinces like Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, and Paktia.

So while the Taliban is based in Afghanistan, the fallout from its presence and support networks is felt across the wider region , especially at the Pakistan border.

Inside Afghanistan: what are they doing?

Within Afghanistan, the Taliban is:

  • Running government ministries , policing, and taxation as a de facto state.
  • Imposing strict social rules, including severe restrictions on women and girls in education, work, and public life.
  • Fighting ISIS-K (Islamic State–Khorasan) and other armed groups that challenge their authority inside the country.

At the same time, international observers say Afghanistan remains highly unstable , with humanitarian crises, economic collapse, and ongoing violence.

Forum-style angle & “latest news”

If you’re asking this as a trending topic or forum-style debate (“where are they now?”):

  • Politically: “In charge of Afghanistan, but almost unrecognized globally and under sanctions.”
  • Militarily: “Still fighting ISIS-K and now facing serious border conflict with Pakistan in 2026.”
  • For global security debates: many analysts argue Afghanistan has again become a hub where multiple militant groups can find safe haven , though the Taliban denies hosting international terrorists.

Simple HTML table of key points

[3][7][5] [3][7][5] [1][9][7][5] [7][5] [5][7]
Aspect Where / What
Main base Across Afghanistan, especially Kabul and Kandahar as political centers.
Territorial control Controls nearly all major cities and most of the country’s territory.
Border activity Engaged in clashes and tensions along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border (Durand Line).
Main internal enemy Fighting ISIS-K cells inside Afghanistan.
International status De facto rulers of Afghanistan with very limited formal recognition and ongoing sanctions.
**TL;DR:** The Taliban isn’t “missing”; it is running the government of Afghanistan from Kabul and other key cities, while also involved in violent border tensions with Pakistan and internal fights against ISIS-K.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.