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Saudi Arabia has exerted a strong influence on Afghanistan, and was one of the major providers of funds to the mujahideen fighters against the Soviets. Saudi Arabia was also the second of only three countries to recognize the Taliban government, extending official recognition on 26 May 1997, one day after Pakistan and shortly before the United Arab Emirates.[1] After the removal of Taliban, Saudi Arabia is one of the major helpers in the Afghan reconstruction. For example, the main highway project is funded mainly by the US and Saudi Arabia. The Grand Mosque of Kabul in Afghanistan was also financed by Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis started perceiving a growing Iranian encroachment in Afghanistan around 2013. They saw the Iranian Revolutionary Guards supporting Shia's, 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]
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]
