London, UK – The Afghan Embassy in the United Kingdom is set to close on September 27, following an official request from the British government, according to Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the UK, Zalmai Rasoul. The announcement was made via the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
This development comes in the wake of a July announcement by the Taliban, declaring that they do not recognize embassies established under Afghanistan’s previous government. The decision has had a ripple effect, leading to closures of Afghan diplomatic missions in various countries.
“We extend our gratitude and appreciation to all colleagues, citizens, and institutions that have sincerely collaborated with the Afghan Embassy in London during this period,” said Rasoul.
Meanwhile, in India, the Afghan Embassy has also closed its doors, with reports of locks being placed on its premises.
A spokesperson from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office confirmed that the embassy closure follows the Taliban’s dismissal of its diplomatic staff.
Since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August 2021, several Afghan embassies in Europe continued their operations. However, some, including the one in Washington, D.C., were forced to shut down.
The UK has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has relocated its embassy from Kabul to Qatar, underscoring the continued diplomatic isolation of the Taliban regime.