By Frud Bezhan Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 7, 2021 The Taliban has formed a new, theocratic government in Afghanistan, weeks after the August 15 collapse of the internationally recognized administration in Kabul and within days of international troops’ departure. Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, a hard-line cleric and former chief justice, has been named supreme
Aamaj News: Zabihullah Mujahid has announced that Mullah Mohammad Hassan will lead the new government. Mullah Baradar was appointed as first deputy. Mawlavi Hannafi was appointed as second deputy. Mullah Yaqub was appointed by the Taliban to head the Ministry of National Defense. Sirajuddin Haqqani has been appointed by the Taliban as acting interior minister.
Ayaz Gul VOA News August 28, 2021 ISLAMABAD – The United States on Saturday hailed the Taliban’s commitment that no one will be prevented from traveling out of Afghanistan after August 31, the deadline President Joe Biden has set for all U.S. and NATO troops to exit the country. Zalmay Khalilzad, special U.S. envoy for
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty January 31, 2021 A member of the Afghan government’s peace negotiating team said on January 31 that if the Taliban doesn’t return to peace talks in Qatar soon, the Kabul government could recall its representatives before a deal is reached. Government negotiator Rasul Talib told a news conference that the Afghan
Ayaz Gul VOA News January 29, 2021 ISLAMABAD – The Taliban on Friday said its February 2020 agreement with the United States is meant to give American “invading” troops a “safe passage” out of Afghanistan, insisting the insurgent group expects President Joe Biden administration’s “review” of the document will not disrupt it. Sher Mohammad Abbas
By Frud Bezhan Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 10, 2020 Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai spent years lying low in Pakistan’s southwestern city of Quetta, where the Afghan Taliban leadership has been based since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001 toppled the extremist group from power in neighboring Afghanistan. A hard-line cleric, Ishaqzai until recently ran an Islamic madrasah,
Tolo News: The Taliban leadership has appointed Mawlawi Abdul Hakim, the chief justice of the group, as head of their 21-member negotiating team in Qatar, making the former chief negotiator Abbas Stanekzai his deputy. Sources close to the Taliban said that most of the fatwas (rulings) of the group, particularly on war, are issued by
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty September 18, 2019 The Taliban has said the “doors are open” to resuming talks with the United States despite continuing violence ahead of a presidential election in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s chief negotiator, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, made the statement after two recent attacks claimed by the militants killed at least 48
Ayaz Gul VOA News August 26, 2019 ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN – With a draft peace agreement between the United States and the Afghan Taliban circulating after 10 months of negotiations, the insurgent group is pushing a new media campaign boasting about what it describes as the “success” of its past strict Islamic rule. The Taliban was
Ayaz Gul VOA News May 13, 2019 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban’s chief negotiator says in newly released remarks that the United States is on the verge of defeat and will quit Afghanistan soon “either of their own accord, or they will be forced out.” Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai made the assertions in an April 28 speech