Saudi Arabia’s Retreat From Kabul; Training Or Terror?

The Saudi diplomatic mission in Kabul, Afghanistan has decided to temporarily relocate to Islamabad, Pakistan due to a perceived threat of a future car bomb attack by the Islamic State (I.S.I.S.). However, the Taliban and its spokesperson, Zabiullah Mujahid, maintain that the move is only for training purposes and that the diplomats will return soon. Zabiullah Mujahid insists that “[Saudi Diplomats] have been asked for a kind of training and will be back.” As of now, it is unclear how many Saudi diplomats have left Kabul and when or whether they are coming back.

Having diplomatic missions abroad is a common practice states utilise to protect their citizens beyond national borders as well as to protect their national interests in political, economic, and cultural affairs. Saudi Arabia is no exception to this. Both the host country and the international community should be able to guarantee and protect the presence of foreign missions abroad for the benefit of diplomatic relations and the contribution to regional/international peace.

Since the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban has controlled the country’s government and implemented a regime of terror marked by public executions, mutilations, and torture. The Taliban and I.S.I.S. have been engaged in a deadly conflict since 2015, with the former limiting its implementation of Islamic values and Sharia Law to Afghanistan, while the latter sees the Taliban as impeding its mission of establishing an Islamic caliphate worldwide. Considering such factors, most countries have decided to close their embassies in Afghanistan. Yet, there is still some diplomatic presence in Kabul from countries like Russia, China, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. I.S.I.S. has launched violent attacks against these delegations with the aim of reducing the foreign presence in Afghanistan and advancing its own objectives.

The Taliban’s claims that the relocation of the Saudi diplomatic mission is solely for training purposes are yet to be substantiated. Despite the Taliban regime’s assurances of protecting foreign interests and claims that this recent departure is not due to security reasons, it remains to be seen how the regime will deal with the increasing threat posed by I.S.I.S.

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