VOA News Ayaz Gul May 24, 2016 ISLAMABAD—While the Afghan Taliban have still not officially confirmed or denied the death of their chief, Mullah Mansoor, in a U.S. drone attack, insurgent leaders appear to be preparing the ground for a leadership transition. In a Pashto-language statement released to pro-Taliban media outlets, a senior member of
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 22, 2016 Mullah Akhtar Mansoor was formally named leader of the Taliban in July 2015, shortly after the militant group disclosed that founder Mullah Omar had died two years prior. The Afghan government said Mansoor was the de facto leader of the Taliban during the time that Omar’s death remained
VOA News Ayaz Gul May 9, 2016 ISLAMABAD—Officials in Afghanistan say the State Department designated terrorist group, the al-Qaida linked Haqqani network, has effectively taken over battlefield command of the Taliban insurgency. Haqqani militants allegedly operate from sanctuaries in neighboring Pakistan and are known for staging high-profile suicide assaults on Afghan and international forces. “The
AP via Stars and Stripes: A shadowy, Pakistan-based militant faction is on the rise within the Taliban after its leader was appointed deputy and played a key role in unifying the fractured insurgency. The ascendency of the Haqqani network, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, could significantly strengthen the Taliban and herald another summer of fierce fighting in
Khaama Press: According to the local media reports in Pakistan, the breakthrough was achieved with the mediation of Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani. One of the major breakthroughs was the announcement of allegiance by Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir to Taliban supreme leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor. The other breakthroughs according to the reports were securing top positions for Mullah