In this May 24, 2021 photo, members of Afghan security forces patrol a street during an ongoing clash between Taliban and Afghan forces in Mihtarlam, Afghanistan. On May 25, 2021, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the nation’s embassy in Kabul will be closed on May 28. (PHOTO / AFP)
CANBERRA – Australia is to close its embassy in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, where the Australian troops are scheduled to withdraw later this year.
According to a joint media statement on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the embassy building will be closed on May 28.
"Our residential representation in Afghanistan and the Australian Embassy in Kabul will be closed at this time," they said.
"It is Australia's expectation that this measure will be temporary and that we will resume a permanent presence in Kabul once circumstances permit," the statement said.
According to a joint media statement on Tuesday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the embassy building will be closed on May 28.
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"The departure of the international forces and hence Australian forces from Afghanistan over the next few months brings with it an increasingly uncertain security environment where the Government has been advised that security arrangements could not be provided to support our ongoing diplomatic presence," the statement added.
Morrison announced in April that Australian troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September this year.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the embassy has been open since 2006.
READ MORE: Australia 'concerned' if US pulls out troops from Afghanistan
US President Joe Biden announced on April 14 that all US troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan before Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of the Sept 11, 2001 terror attacks that drew the United States into its longest war.
Australia announced to withdraw its troops from Afghansitan one day after the US announcement.
As the security situation in Afghansitan remains complicated and terrorism keeps festering, analysts deem the US decision as irresponsible and warn against an intensifying civil conflict and more rampant terrorist acts.
The security situation in the war-torn Afghanistan has been deteriorating over the past weeks as Taliban militants have intensified their offensives by attacking government forces and conducting suicide bombing attacks.
In a statement issued later in the day, the Afghan government said it was committed to ensuring safety and security of foreign organizations and diplomatic missions.
"Based on the international laws and conventions, and within the framework of agreements with friendly countries, the Afghan government remains obligated to ensure the security of diplomatic missions and the safety of diplomatic and consular representatives," the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement.