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UAE Diplomats based in the Gulf region told Reuters that officials had held a series of discussions with the organization in recent weeks to discuss operating the airport as the main air link between inland Afghanistan and the world.
The talks showed how countries seek to maintain influence in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, even though the hardline Islamic organization is still largely an international pariah, and its government is not officially recognized by any country.
According to sources who asked not to be named, the Emirati are keen to counter the diplomatic influence Qatar enjoys there.
Qataris have been helping to run Hamid Karzai The international airport and Turkey played an important role in the evacuation work after the United States evacuated in August, and expressed their willingness to take over these operations.
However, four diplomats said that the Taliban had not yet reached a formal agreement with Qatar.
A senior official from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the UAE, which had operated Kabul Airport during the U.S.-backed Republic of Afghanistan, “still committed to continuing to assist operations” to ensure humanitarian access and safe passage.
Abu Dhabi also provided assistance in the recent evacuation efforts.
The Taliban and Qatar authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
Two of the diplomats said that the Taliban are also seeking financial assistance from the UAE, but they added that it is not yet clear whether this is related to the airport discussions.
Salem Al Zaabi, an official of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and director of international security cooperation, did not answer questions about whether the UAE is considering providing financial assistance to the Taliban.
Airport Intelligence
The four diplomats said that a key issue that remains to be resolved between the Taliban and potential airport operators is who will provide security at the scene. The Taliban stated that after returning to power after two decades of war, they do not want foreign troops to enter the country.
The diplomat added that the Qatari special forces are still providing security around the airport, while the Taliban special forces are patrolling the periphery of the airport.
So far, countries have been reluctant to officially recognize the Taliban government, accusing the organization of betraying its promise to protect the rights of women and minorities.
However, Qatari officials urged the international community to strengthen contacts with the Taliban to prevent impoverished Afghanistan from falling into a humanitarian crisis. Gulf countries have also expressed concerns https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/gulf-arabs-jittery-about-taliban-takeover-may-seek-pragmatic-ties-2021-08-20 Make al-Qaeda regain a foothold in Afghanistan.
According to the four diplomats, although there is no commercial interest for any operator, the airport will provide much-needed sources of intelligence in and out of the country. They said that since the withdrawal of troops, many countries lack real-time information. .
Regional competition
Qatar and the UAE have struggled for regional influence over the years, and their relationship has been strained.
The UAE, Saudi Arabia and their allies have boycotted Qatar for more than three years, severed political, trade, and transportation links, and accused Doha of supporting terrorism-but it denied this accusation. The dispute was resolved in January this year.
Qatar has long been the gateway to the Taliban, and Doha has served as the organization’s political office since 2013 and negotiated with the United States in early 2020, which eventually led to its withdrawal.
Last week, Qatari officials strengthened their position by signing an agreement https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-qatar-act-us-diplomatic-representative-afghanistan-official-2021-11-12 on behalf of the United States Diplomatic interests are in Afghanistan.
According to two diplomats, the UAE also maintains contact with the Taliban. They said that the country has been home to some members of the organization in recent years, including Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, and they added that they have lived in the Emirate of Sharjah with their families since at least 2013. Stanikzai is now the deputy foreign minister of the Taliban government.
Al Zaabi did not answer questions about the relationship between the UAE and Stanikzai. The Taliban did not immediately respond to inquiries about Stanikzai, who lives in the UAE.
The Taliban said this month that the UAE has reopened its embassy in Kabul. The UAE has not yet commented.
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