UAE Intelligence Delegation Engages with Taliban Officials in Secret Meeting

Leaked information reveals that a senior three-member delegation from the United Arab Emirates’ intelligence services secretly met with Rahmatullah Noorbakhsh, the head of the Taliban’s intelligence in Balkh, at Mazar-e-Sharif Airport under the guise of business activities.

Details of the Meeting

This hour-long meeting, conducted on behalf of Anwar Gargash, a senior advisor to the UAE government, focused on enhancing intelligence collaborations and exploring investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s northern gold mines.

The representatives from Abu Dhabi also addressed security issues and monitoring movement in the region, extending an invitation for an official visit to Dubai. However, the head of Balkh’s intelligence expressed concerns about the sensitivities surrounding the trip, deeming it challenging despite his interest in expanding relations. Analysts view these developments as a clear indication of Abu Dhabi’s strategic efforts to solidify its economic and security influence in key areas of Afghanistan.