Afghanistan’s embassy in the Netherlands has removed the emblem and references to the “Islamic Republic of Afghanistan” from its official website and social media pages, replacing the tricolor black, red, and green flag with no formal explanation.
The move, which took place on Tuesday, June 3, drew swift reactions online, with critics questioning the embassy’s motivations amid the broader political uncertainty surrounding Afghanistan’s diplomatic representation.
No country has formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government since their return to power in August 2021. Most foreign governments and international organizations have continued to avoid displaying the Taliban’s white flag at diplomatic events, maintaining the previous republic’s symbols in official contexts.
The emblem of the former republic included a mosque, national colors, the inscription of independence, and wheat sheaves—symbols the Taliban have systematically sought to eliminate from public use. Still, many official Afghan documents, including passports, continue to bear the former republic’s insignia.
The embassy has not commented on whether the changes reflect a shift in political alignment or administrative policy.
