By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters), – Four sources familiar with the situation claim that the United Arab Emirates held negotiations with Taliban leaders to take over Kabul’s airport. This was in a bid to gain influence from the new Afghan rulers.

According to Reuters, UAE diplomats have had a number of meetings with them in the recent weeks in order to talk about operating the airport serving as Afghanistan’s primary air connection to the rest of the world.

Talks show that countries seek to increase their influence in Taliban-governed Afghanistan while the militant Islamist group remains an international pariah, with no formal recognition of its government by any country.

Sources say that the Emiratis seek to combat Qatar’s diplomatic influence, although they are not allowed to give their names due to sensitive issues.

Following their role in helping to evacuate the affected areas in August after the chaos of the U.S. withdrawal, Qataris are now running the Hamid Karazai International Airport with Turkey.

The four diplomats stated that the Taliban had not yet made an agreement with Qatar.

Senior Emirati diplomats said that the UAE had previously run Kabul Airport during the U.S.-backed Afghan republic and “remains committed” to operating it in order to guarantee humanitarian access to the region.

Abu Dhabi has also supported recent evacuation efforts.

Requests for comment from Qatari and Taliban authorities have not been answered.

Two diplomats stated that Taliban also asked for financial help from UAE. They added however, it was unclear if the matter was linked to discussions at the airport.

Salem Al Zaabi from the Emirati Foreign Ministry, Director of International Security Cooperation, didn’t respond to questions about financial support for the Taliban.

Airport Intelligence

Four diplomats indicated that the Taliban still have to resolve a crucial issue with potential airport operators, which is who would be responsible for security. After two decades of war, the Taliban claim they don’t want any foreign troops in their country.

Diplomats stated that Qatari Special Forces are currently providing security at the airport’s perimeter. Taliban Special Forces were also patrolling outside.

The Taliban have so far resisted formal recognition from other countries, accusing them of not upholding their pledges to protect the rights and dignity of women and minorities.

Qatari officials have called for greater international cooperation with Taliban leaders to avoid Afghanistan falling into humanitarian crisis. Gulf states have also voiced concern https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/gulf-arabs-jittery-about-taliban-takeover-may-seek-pragmatic-ties-2021-08-20 that the U.S. withdrawal would allow al Qaeda to regain a foothold in Afghanistan.

Although there are no commercial benefits for the operator, it would be a valuable source of intelligence about movements into and out of the country according to four diplomats. They stated that many countries had been left without real-time information since the withdrawal.

REGIONAL RIVALRIES

As they vie for influence in the region, Qatar and UAE had long-standing tensions.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other allies have boycotted Qatar since over three years. This has cut off diplomatic, trade, and transport ties and made Doha accuse Doha, among others, of supporting terrorists. Doha refutes this charge. In January of this year, the dispute was settled.

Doha has been the main gateway for the Taliban since 2013, when it hosted the political office of the group. Negotiations with the U.S. began in 2020, which led to their withdrawal.

Last week, Qatari officials strengthened their position by signing an accord https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-qatar-act-us-diplomatic-representative-afghanistan-official-2021-11-12 to represent American diplomatic interests in Afghanistan.

According to two diplomats, the UAE maintained strong ties with Taliban as well. Two diplomats said that the UAE had hosted some Taliban members in recent years. They added Sher Mohammad Abubas Stanikzai lived with him in Sharjah since at least 2013. Stanikzai, now the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister, is currently in charge of international affairs.

Al Zaabi didn’t respond to queries about the UAE’s relations with Stanikzai. Fragen about Stanikzai in the UAE weren’t immediately answered by Taliban

According to the Taliban, this month saw the UAE reopen its Embassy in Kabul. The UAE has yet to comment.