The Saudis started perceiving a growing Iranian encroachment in Afghanistan c. 2013. They saw the Iranian Revolutionary Guards supporting Shias, but also one of several Afghan branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, Jamaat-e-Islami, and trying to coopt Taliban leaders and groups, and decided to become more active to counter that.[2]
In August 2021, Saudi Arabia evacuated all of its diplomats from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban overtook the country in a swift sweep. Although Saudi Arabia does not recognize the re-established Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan like the rest of the world, the Saudi embassy re-opened on 30 November 2021 to provide consular services to Afghan citizens.[3] On February 5, 2023, the Saudi Arabian embassy in Kabul was evacuated following reports that explosive-laden vehicles had managed to infiltrate Kabul's Green Zone, where the embassy is located.[4] It was also revealed that the terrorist group ISIL had intended to attack the Saudi Arabian embassy during this incident.[5]
Embassies and consulates
Afghanistan has an embassy in Riyadh and a consulate-general in Jeddah.
^Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Saudi Arabia: Information on whether the government officially recognizes the Taliban government in Afghanistan, and if so, the date recognition was extended; and whether the government of Saudi Arabia provides the Taliban government with any kind of support, 1 March 1998, SAU28966.E, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6ab2c60.html [accessed 13 December 2010]