Saudi Arabia has dispatched two planes bringing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, marking the kingdom’s first such action since the Taliban seized control of the nation in August.

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) sent out more than 65 tonnes of assistance which, included around 1,647 food baskets.

Abdullah al-Rabeeah, the center’s supervisor general, said the Saudi humanitarian air bridge would see six planes transfer more than 197 tonnes of aid to Afghanistan.

He added that the aid would be supplied overland by 200 trucks from Pakistan.

During a summit in Riyadh on Tuesday, Gulf Arab countries decided to “help mobilise international measures to provide humanitarian contribution to the Afghan people and improve their economic conditions.”

According to the United Nations, more than half of Afghanistan’s 38 million people face “acute” food shortages, with the winter forcing millions to choose between migration and hunger.

Between 1996 and 2001, the previous Taliban government imposed a rigorous interpretation of Islamic law as well as harsh public punishments.

Saudi Arabia was one of three nations that recognised the previous Taliban government and the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan.

However, since regaining power in mid-August after deposing the US-backed government, the Taliban has attempted to project a more moderate image in its drive for international recognition and the lifting of sanctions.

Despite the Taliban government’s lack of legitimacy, the US authorised some exceptions to its sanctions on Afghanistan to allow humanitarian aid to enter.