Afghanistan–United Arab Emirates relations

Afghanistan–United Arab Emirates relations refers to the bilateral relations between Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In December 2022, Afghan Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob along with Anas Haqqani made an official visit to the UAE.^[1][2] There he met with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.^[3][4][5]

Afghanistan–United Arab Emirates relations

Afghanistan	United Arab Emirates
Diplomatic mission
Afghan Embassy, Abu Dhabi	Emirati Embassy, Kabul

History

Further information: January 2017 Afghanistan bombings

Prior to the September 11 attacks in the United States in 2001, the UAE and Saudi Arabia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban government).^[6] During the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021), the UAE had a small humanitarian and peacekeeping military presence in Afghanistan,^[7] which was part of the then-International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).^[8]

On January 10, 2017, five UAE diplomats were killed in Kandahar. They were there with Humayun Azizi to inaugurate a number of UAE backed projects. The UAE's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Juma Al Kaabi, was wounded and later died of his wounds.^[9][10]

After the fall of Kabul in August 2021, then-Afghan-President Ashraf Ghani flew to Uzbekistan and from there to the UAE.^[11] A few weeks later, after the United States and most countries pulled out their citizens, a UAE plane carrying aid landed at Kabul International Airport.^[12]

The UAE provided 30 metric tonnes of aid to the victims of the June 2022 Afghanistan earthquake.^[13] An additional 16 metric tonnes of medical supplies arrived in the affected area in early July.^[14] A 1,000 m³ (35,000 cu ft) field hospital was established in Khost.^[14] In February 2023, UAE decided to reduce its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, amid reports that ISIS terrorist group was able to infiltrate Kabul's Green Zone, which is where the UAE embassy is located. Like the rest of the world, the UAE has also not recognized the Taliban rule of Afghanistan as legitimate.^[15][16]

Afghans in the UAE

Further information: Afghan diaspora

Around 300,000 Afghan citizens reside in the UAE where many are investors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.^{[17][18][19][20]} Some of them could be Iranians or Pakistanis using false Afghan passports.^[21]

See also

•  Afghanistan portal
•  Politics portal
•  United Arab Emirates portal

• Foreign relations of Afghanistan
• Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates

References

1. "Taliban acting defence minister holds talks with UAE president". Reuters. December 5, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
2. "Mullah Yaqoob Mujahid Meets With Afghans in UAE". TOLOnews. December 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
3. "Anas Haqqani and Yaqoob Mujahid meet Afghans in UAE". Ariana News. December 5, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
4. "Yaqoob, UAE president talk bilateral cooperation". Pajhwok Afghan News. December 5, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
5. "Mullah Yaqoob, UAE rulers discuss strengthening of ties". Afghan Islamic Press. December 6, 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
6. "Why Saudi Arabia and UAE are Distancing Themselves from the Afghanistan Crisis". 21 July 2021.
7. "Muslim troops help win Afghan minds". BBC News. 2008-03-28. Retrieved 2010-04-02.
8. "Afghan 'trust' in Arab troops". BBC News. 29 March 2008. from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2010.
9. Roggio, Bill (January 11, 2017). . Long War Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. Five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates were among 11 people killed in a bombing at a guest house in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, yesterday. The UAE's ambassador to Afghanistan, as well as the governor of Kandahar, were also wounded in the attack. No terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Taliban distanced itself from it.
10. Abdelaty, Ali; Browning, Noah (January 10, 2017). Ireland, Louise (ed.). . Reuters. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017. The United Arab Emirates' ambassador in Afghanistan has been injured in bomb attack at a guest house in the eastern city of Kandahar, the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "(The ministry) is following the heinous terrorist attack on the guesthouse of the Kandahar governor which resulted in the injury of his excellency Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and a number of Emirati diplomats," the statement said.
11. Ex-Afghan president explains why he fled the country on YouTube (CNN News, Aug. 14, 2022) (at 2:40)
12. First flight arrives at Kabul airport under Taliban control. NBC News. September 3, 2021.
13. Narayanan, Ayush (24 June 2022). "UAE rushes 30 tons of aid to Afghanistan after earthquake claims over 1,150 lives". Al Arabiya. from the original on 24 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
14. Nashar, Khoder (3 July 2022). "UAE sends three planes carrying aid to Afghanistan". Emirates News Agency. ZAWYA. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
15. "Turkiye, UAE to reduce missions in Afghanistan over 'security concerns'". Middle East Monitor. 7 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
16. Rahmati, Fidel (8 February 2023). "Turkey, UAE to Reduce Missions in Afghanistan Over 'Security Concerns'". Khaama Press. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
17. Majeedy, Mitra (February 26, 2023). "80% Afghan Traders Based in UAE: Sader Khail". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
18. Hakimi, Bibi Amina (January 19, 2023). "Afghan Investors in UAE to Form Delegation to Share Problems with Kabul". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
19. "UAE is our haven: The Afghan community". Khaleej Times. December 16, 2016. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
20. Shahbandari, Shafaat (November 30, 2012). "Afghans take hope from UAE's achievements". Gulf News. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
21. "Fraud in Passport Office Revealed After Iranian National Got Afghan Passport". TOLOnews. August 22, 2015. Retrieved 2021-07-28. It is now said many Iranians and Pakistanis seek out Afghan passports in order to get easier access to the UAE.