Saudi Arabia Resumes Embassy Operations in Kabul After Three-Year Hiatus
This move follows a broader trend of shifting international dynamics in Afghanistan.
Kabul – Saudi Arabia has announced the resumption of all activities at its embassy in Kabul, marking a significant shift in its diplomatic stance after more than three years. The decision, effective from December 22, 2024, comes after the kingdom withdrew its diplomats from Afghanistan in 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power.
In a statement posted on social media, the Saudi Embassy in Kabul confirmed the resumption of operations, citing the government’s commitment to providing services to the Afghan people. “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 statement read.
This marks a notable development in Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, which were put on hold following the Taliban’s rapid takeover in August 2021. At that time, Saudi Arabia, along with many other countries, withdrew its diplomatic staff from Kabul due to the unstable security situation. Subsequently, the kingdom resumed only limited consular services in Afghanistan in November 2021, alongside ongoing humanitarian aid efforts through its KSRelief organization.
While the resumption of full embassy operations signals a shift in Riyadh’s engagement with Afghanistan, the level of Saudi diplomatic representation in Kabul remains unclear, with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs yet to comment on specifics.
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This move follows a broader trend of shifting international dynamics in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, Russia took a step closer to recognizing the Taliban’s rule by passing legislation that could potentially remove the group from its list of banned terrorist organizations. However, despite some international engagements, the Taliban government remains unrecognized by any country.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume embassy activities highlights its strategic interests in Afghanistan and its broader approach to engaging with the Taliban-led administration amid shifting global alliances.
