KABUL – Saudi Arabia has announced the full resumption of its diplomatic mission in Kabul, three years after withdrawing its staff during the Taliban’s return to power.
The Saudi Embassy in Kabul confirmed the decision on Sunday via a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “In line with Saudi Arabia’s commitment to providing essential services to the Afghan people, the Saudi diplomatic mission in Kabul will resume its work starting December 22, 2024.”
Saudi Arabia had evacuated its diplomats on August 15, 2021, citing “unstable conditions” after the Taliban seized control following the U.S. military withdrawal. Limited operations were restored in November 2021 to offer consular services, though the full mission remained suspended.
This resumption of operations reflects a shift, even as most nations maintain limited engagement with the Taliban government, which, while wielding de facto power, remains unrecognized internationally.