US Lifts Bounties on Haqqani Leaders Amid Talks
The United States has officially removed bounties on several senior members of the Haqqani militant network, including its leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also serves as the Taliban government’s interior minister. This significant decision comes as the Haqqani network, notorious for its involvement in high-profile attacks during the US-led war in Afghanistan, continues to play a crucial role in the Taliban’s governance since the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2021. The move follows recent diplomatic engagements between US officials and the Taliban in Kabul.
Background on the Haqqani Network
The Haqqani network, founded in the 1980s by Jalaluddin Haqqani with CIA support, initially operated as an anti-Soviet force in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Over the years, it evolved into one of the most feared militant organizations in the region, known for its violent opposition to Western forces. The group allied with the Taliban when they first seized power in Afghanistan in 1996. Following Jalaluddin Haqqani’s death in 2018, his son, Sirajuddin Haqqani, has emerged as a significant figure within the Taliban government, navigating internal rifts and asserting influence.
Details of the Bounty Removal
The US State Department confirmed that there are currently no rewards for Sirajuddin Haqqani or his associates, Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani. Despite the removal of the bounties, these individuals remain designated as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, and the Haqqani network continues to be classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The FBI has updated its website to reflect the absence of the previously advertised $10 million bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, signaling a notable shift in US policy.
Diplomatic Engagements and Implications
This decision to lift the bounties coincides with a recent visit by a US delegation to Kabul, which included discussions aimed at securing the release of an American tourist detained since 2022. Taliban interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani stated that the removal of the bounties was a result of ongoing diplomatic efforts, emphasizing a desire for increased positive interactions with the United States. While it remains unclear if the bounty removal was part of the negotiations, it highlights a potential shift in the US approach to engaging with the Taliban government.
Internal Dynamics within the Taliban
As Sirajuddin Haqqani rises in prominence, tensions within the Taliban leadership are becoming apparent. Disagreements over issues such as women’s education have created rifts between him and the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Haqqani faction has sought to present itself as more moderate, appealing to segments of the Afghan population frustrated by the hardline stance of the supreme leader. The lifting of US bounties may enhance the Haqqani network’s standing both domestically and internationally, as the Taliban seeks to engage more constructively with the global community.
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