The US embassy in Kabul, where diplomats and well-paid foreign service staff lived in cloistered safety. Photo: Public domain image
The US embassy in Kabul, where diplomats and well-paid foreign service staff lived in cloistered safety. Photo: Public domain image
The US embassy in Kabul, where diplomats and well-paid foreign service staff lived in cloistered safety. Photo: Public domain image
The US embassy in Kabul, where diplomats and well-paid foreign service staff lived in cloistered safety. Photo: Public domain image

World

US embassy in Kabul lies abandoned as evacuation efforts continue

Vast compound was at the heart of the 'Kabubble' in the capital's fortified Green Zone

The National

August 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

In the middle of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the American embassy in Kabul lies abandoned following the Taliban takeover of the capital.

Helicopters could be seen leaving the embassy compound for the Hamid Karzai International Airport after it officially closed on August 15, with US Chargé d’Affaires Ross Wilson and other officials relocating embassy operations due to security concerns.

The vast US embassy compound was at the heart of the “Kabubble” — part of the capital's fortified Green Zone, not far from the city centre.

It was dedicated in 2006 by former president George W Bush, who called the main embassy building “a big, solid, permanent structure".

“I am struck by the story that our embassy was kept open and guarded during the days of the Taliban, and when Afghanistan was liberated, there were Afghan nationals here to turn over the keys to the embassy,” Mr Bush said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Former president George W Bush and former Afghan president Hamid Karzai cut the embassy's ceremonial ribbon on March 1, 2006. Photo: White House
Former president George W Bush and former Afghan president Hamid Karzai cut the embassy's ceremonial ribbon on March 1, 2006. Photo: White House

Diplomats and well-paid foreign service staff lived in cloistered safety in the sprawling American exclave, which included the largest building the US State Department had ever contracted, according to Caddell Construction.

The US had spent a total of $1.5 billion on the embassy's construction, maintenance and security since 2002, a special inspector-general report revealed in June.

A contractor for the embassy build, DLR Group, wrote that the windows had been built small for security purposes and to keep costs on blast-proof glass low — necessary in a city routinely rocked by terror attacks.

People living and working in the compound faced challenges from security threats and attacks through the years and also experienced a large Covid-19 outbreak in June.

The embassy had all the trappings of a posh government building in Washington, including a canteen serving American food and coffee. There was also a swimming pool and tennis courts, and staff there often attended fancy soirees with military commanders from the neighbouring Nato base.

At about 36 acres, the embassy is significantly smaller than the largest US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, which measures over 100 acres.

Visitors to the embassy would sometimes be greeted by Molly, a feral but friendly cat, who allegedly predated the US occupation, and would be 20 today if still alive.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin poses at the embassy flag pole with Chargé d'Affaires Ross Wilson in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 21, 2021. US Department of Defence
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J Austin poses at the embassy flag pole with Chargé d'Affaires Ross Wilson in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 21, 2021. US Department of Defence
Memorial Day at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 30, 2011. US Department of State
Memorial Day at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on May 30, 2011. US Department of State
US Marine Corps General Joseph F Dunford, Jr, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with Ambassador Hugo Llorens at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on June 27, 2017. US Department of Defence
US Marine Corps General Joseph F Dunford, Jr, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meets with Ambassador Hugo Llorens at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on June 27, 2017. US Department of Defence
US Marine Corps General Joseph F Dunford, Jr, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks to the US Embassy to Afghanistan on June 26, 2017 to meet with Ambassador Hugo Llorens. US Department of Defence
US Marine Corps General Joseph F Dunford, Jr, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, walks to the US Embassy to Afghanistan on June 26, 2017 to meet with Ambassador Hugo Llorens. US Department of Defence
President George W Bush and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai cut the ceremonial ribbon, on March 1, 2006, to dedicate the new US Embassy Building in Kabul, Afghanistan. White House
President George W Bush and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai cut the ceremonial ribbon, on March 1, 2006, to dedicate the new US Embassy Building in Kabul, Afghanistan. White House
US Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, takes a walk with Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 20, 2011. US Department of State
US Representative Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, takes a walk with Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi, Speaker of the Lower House of the Afghan Parliament at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 20, 2011. US Department of State
Representative Nancy Pelosi meets members of the Afghan Parliament at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 19, 2011. US Department of State
Representative Nancy Pelosi meets members of the Afghan Parliament at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on March 19, 2011. US Department of State
US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker, spoke about a steel carving of the lower Manhattan skyline during a during a 9/11 commemoration at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 11, 2011. US Air Force
US Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker, spoke about a steel carving of the lower Manhattan skyline during a during a 9/11 commemoration at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 11, 2011. US Air Force
Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 12, 2014, after US Secretary of State John Kerry helped broker an agreement on a technical and political plan to resolve the disputed outcome of the election between them. US Department of State
Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 12, 2014, after US Secretary of State John Kerry helped broker an agreement on a technical and political plan to resolve the disputed outcome of the election between them. US Department of State
US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and staff arrive at US Embassy Kabul in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 9, 2018. US Department of State
US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and staff arrive at US Embassy Kabul in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 9, 2018. US Department of State
US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo arrives to the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan via helicopter on March 23, 2020. US Department of State
US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo arrives to the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan via helicopter on March 23, 2020. US Department of State
The US embassy in Kabul as seen on July 4, 2010. Public domain image
The US embassy in Kabul as seen on July 4, 2010. Public domain image
The US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Public domain image
The US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Public domain image
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street

The seven points are:

Shakhbout bin Sultan Street

Dhafeer Street

Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)

Salama bint Butti Street

Al Dhafra Street

Rabdan Street

Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

While you're here
While you're here
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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Updated: August 26, 2021, 7:16 AM`
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