Ayaz Gul VOA News October 18, 2016 ISLAMABAD — Senior Afghan government and Taliban representatives reportedly have held at least two secret meetings in recent days in a bid to resume a long-awaited peace dialogue to end the war in Afghanistan. A source within the National Unity Government (NUG) in Kabul has confirmed to VOA the
Tolo News: The new leader of the Afghan Taliban Haibatullah Akhundzada reportedly taught and preached openly for 15 years at the Al Haaj mosque in Kuchlak, near Quetta in Pakistan. According to a report by Reuters, Akhundzada is now believed to be in hiding in Afghanistan. Akhundzada reportedly slipped across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border just two days before being
Khaama Press: The deputy permanent representative of India to the United Nations Ambassador Tanmaya Lal has questioned the lack of steps to designate the Taliban supreme leader a terrorist individual. In his speech during the UN Security Council Debate on situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, Lal said “The fact that the
VOA News Ayaz Gul July 2, 2016 ISLAMABAD—The new Taliban chief has called for the United States to end its “occupation” of Afghanistan, saying the Islamist insurgency is determined to “salvage” the country from the claw of the infidel occupation and mischief.” Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada made the remarks Saturday in connection with the annual Eid
Press TV June 11, 2016 The leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has reportedly pledged allegiance to the new Taliban leader in Afghanistan. Zawahri pledged assistance to Haibatullah Akhundzada — the new leader of Taliban — in a 14-minute online audio message on Saturday, the report said. The authenticity of the recording, however,
Khaama Press: An influential Pakistani religious scholar who was once labeled as the ‘Father of Taliban’ has endorsed the war skills of the newly-appointed Taliban chief. Sami-ul-Haq warned that Afghanistan would see a surge in violence following the ascension of new Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah. Afghan defense officials dismissed the skills endorsement by Sami-ul-Haq and said the Mullah
Pepe Escobar (via Counter Punch): The Pentagon said Mansour was on Obama’s kill list because he had become “an obstacle to peace and reconciliation.” There’s way more to it, of course. Bets can be made that Mansour’s kill will not reduce Afghanistan’s opium production – which has been steadily on the rise for years now. Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada,
Michael Hughes: There is little reason to believe that the U.S. removed an obstacle to peace talks in Afghanistan by killing Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour because his replacement is even more radical and committed to waging a “holy war” against Kabul. The Taliban’s newly-appointed emir, Haibatullah Akhundzada, may not have the military expertise but is
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 30, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Taliban militants in Afghanistan have intensified battlefield attacks, killing around 57 Afghan security forces and wounding 37 others in the restive southern Helmand province. Afghan officials say fierce fighting has raged since Saturday, when the Taliban launched a string of coordinated assaults on three districts, including Nad Ali,
Tolo News: Criticizing the appointment of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada as Taliban’s new leader, Mullah Mannan Niazi, spokesman for the Taliban’s breakaway faction led by Mullah Rassoul, said on Sunday that the newly appointed leader is a puppet of Pakistan – just as his predecessor, Mullah Mansour, was. He said Mullah Rassoul’s faction wants an Islamic government in