RASC News Agency: The Kabul Serena Hotel has officially announced the cessation of its operations in Afghanistan, effective today (Saturday). In a statement released on Friday, February 1, the hotel declared that after two decades of hosting high-ranking delegations and providing world-class hospitality in Kabul, it is permanently closing its doors. The statement further emphasized that while the Kabul branch is shutting down, Serena Hotels remains committed to delivering premium services across its 33 branches in nine countries worldwide. Although the hotel has not explicitly stated the reasons for its closure, RASC News Agency previously reported on an intensifying dispute between the Taliban and the Aga Khan Foundation over an alleged $200 million tax claim on the Kabul Serena Hotel. Citing internal documents, RASC had revealed that the Taliban had escalated pressure on Aga Khan operations in Afghanistan. Sources indicated three primary factors behind these restrictions:
The Taliban’s claim that the Kabul Serena Hotel had failed to pay taxes for two decades under the former Afghanistan Republic, with the outstanding liability estimated at $200 million. Extortion attempts by the Taliban against the Aga Khan Foundation. Deep-seated religious tensions between the Taliban and the foundation. The Taliban have remained silent on the matter, and it is unlikely they will issue any official statement, given their rigid chain of command, where no remarks are made without the direct approval of Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada particularly on issues that could expose vulnerabilities within the regime.
The closure of the Kabul Serena Hotel marks the end of an era for Afghanistan’s hospitality sector. For years, the hotel served as a prestigious venue for high-ranking domestic and international officials, diplomats, and distinguished travelers. Its shutdown underscores the growing uncertainty surrounding foreign investments and business operations under Taliban rule.
