Saudi Arabia has historically exerted strong influence on Afghanistan and was one of the major providers of funds to the Afghan mujahideen fighting against the Soviets and their allies the DRA.

Saudi Arabia was also the second of only three countries to recognize the first Taliban government, extending official recognition on 26 May 1997, one day after Pakistan and shortly before the United Arab Emirates.

They saw the Iranian Revolutionary Guards supporting Shias, 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] In August 2021, Saudi Arabia evacuated all of its diplomats from its embassy in Kabul after the Taliban captured the country in a swift sweep.

[4] It was also revealed that the terrorist group ISIL had intended to attack the Saudi Arabian embassy during this incident.