Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan | |
---|---|
Location | Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul |
Address | Street No. 15, House No. 256 |
Coordinates | 34°31′59″N 69°11′02″E / 34.533136°N 69.183751°E |
Ambassador | Reid Sirrs |
The Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan (Persian: سفارت کانادا در کابل) was the diplomatic mission of the Canadian government located in the Afghan capital city of Kabul. It was responsible for bilateral relations between Canada and Afghanistan. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were re-established on September 5, 2003. The relations were suspended in light of the fall of Kabul, and the Taliban takeover.[1] The most recent Ambassador was Reid Sirrs.
History
On 20 June 2016, guards at the embassy were attacked by a suicide bomber belonging to either the Taliban or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. At least 14 to 16 people were killed, not including the suicide bomber. Nine people were injured.
Closure
As the 2021 withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan led to a powerful Taliban offensive, Canada deployed special forces to evacuate the staff inside, and closed the embassy later in August 2021.[2][3][1] Operations were relocated to the Canadian Embassy in Doha, Qatar.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b McKenzie-Sutter, Holly (2021-08-16). "Canada closes embassy in Afghanistan as Taliban forces advance on Kabul". Canada's National Observer. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ Breuninger, Kevin (August 13, 2021). "Taliban seize two of Afghanistan's largest cities as U.S. sends troops to evacuate embassy staff". CNBC. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Canada to send special forces to Afghanistan to close embassy in Kabul, official says". CNBC. Associated Press. August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Canada-Afghanistan relations". Government of Canada. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
Canada's Special Representative for Afghanistan, David Sproule, is currently based in Doha, where he coordinates with allies on a joint international response to the crisis in Afghanistan.