Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it has resumed diplomatic operations in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. This marks the reopening of its embassy, which had been closed since February 2023 due to security concerns.
According to the Afghanistan Times, the reopening signals Saudi Arabia’s intent for positive engagement with Afghanistan and highlights Taliban’s recognition of Saudi Arabia’s regional importance.
This development follows the second Doha meeting on July 1 this year, where Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced that Saudi Arabia expressed its intention to reopen its embassy and restart diplomatic operations. Later, Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister also expressed interest in expanding bilateral relations, recognizing the cultural, religious and historical commonality between the two nations. In response, the Saudi ambassador pledged to dispatch humanitarian aid to Afghans.
“Based on the desire of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people, it has been decided to resume the activities of the mission of the Kingdom in Kabul starting on December 22,” the embassy posted in his statement on X.
Saudi Arabia had closed its embassy in Kabul on February 2 2023, amid fear of potential bomb attacks by ISIS. The threat prompted them to close the embassy and relocate its employees to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. After the U.S. military pullout in 2021, the Taliban quickly took control of Afghanistan, resulting in a significant shift in the region’s security dynamics.
Despite this withdrawal, Saudi Arabia remained committed to supporting the Afghan people. In November 2021, the kingdom announced to resume consular services in Afghanistan through the Saudi Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief). It was not until February 2023 the kingdom ultimately evacuated its embassy staff to Pakistan.
More than three years after the Taliban’s military takeover in 2021, no country, including Saudi Arabia, has formally recognized the Taliban government due to the authorities’ oppression of freedoms and the practice of gender apartheid. According to UN Women, on August 21, 2024, the Taliban announced a new “Morality Law,” imposing discriminatory restrictions on dress codes and personal behaviors of women. For instance, the new legislation prohibits women from interacting with non-Muslims and using public transport alone.
Saudi Arabia was one of only three countries worldwide to recognize the previous Taliban government in Afghanistan that controlled the country between 1996 and 2001.
