Sirajuddin Haqqani: First public appearance of Taliban interior minister
Sirajuddin Haqqani is one of the
most controversial names in the Afghan Taliban government for both internal and
external considerations. The man is associated with the Haqqani network, the
most extremist wing of the Taliban movement. His name was also mentioned in
major violence operations, most notably the attempted assassination of former
Afghan President Hamid Karzai in 2008, in addition to his inclusion on the US
terrorist list.
Haqqani’s recent appearance for the
first time since the Taliban seized power last August and the assignment of the
Ministry of Interior portfolio to him in the caretaker government sparked a new
case of controversy around him.
First appearance
Haqqani appeared for the first time
in public on Saturday, March 5, with an open face during an official ceremony
in Kabul. He had no pictures published, whether on the media outlets of the
Taliban movement or others, except for one picture published by the authorities
on a “Wanted by the FBI” poster.
The photo came during his speech,
which Haqqani delivered during a celebration held by the movement on the
occasion of the graduation of students at the Police Academy, in which he said,
“In order to satisfy you and establish your confidence... I appeared in the
media during a public meeting with you.”
The sites loyal to the Taliban
movement widely circulated Haqqani's image as a unique type of sacred
appearance and manifestation for a character surrounded by mystery, celebrating
it as a unique event and reflecting the importance of secrecy about his
personality, whereabouts and movements throughout the past period.
Haqqani Network
Sirajuddin Haqqani is the son of
Sheikh Jalaluddin Haqqani, a member of the Shura Council of the Islamic Emirate
of the Taliban, the de facto leader of the Haqqani Network (one of the striking
arms of the Taliban movement), and one of the most prominent allies of
al-Qaeda. He was born in Paktia Province and was assigned by the Islamic
Emirate to the southeastern front of Afghanistan in Paktia , Khost, Paktika. He
then assumed the position of interior minister in the Taliban government after
it seized power in August 2021 and is one of three deputies of Taliban leader
Hibatullah Akhundzada.
The Haqqani Network is known for its
closeness to al-Qaeda and for carrying out several suicide operations. A number
of the most violent attacks in Afghanistan in recent years have been attributed
to it.
The network was also accused of
assassinating prominent Afghan officials and holding Westerners hostage before
releasing them for ransom or prisoners, such as US soldier Bowe Bergdahl, who
was released in 2014 in exchange for five Afghan detainees from Guantanamo Bay.
The Haqqani fighters, known for
their independence, fighting skills, and lucrative trade, are apparently
responsible for Taliban operations in the mountainous regions of eastern
Afghanistan and are believed to have a strong influence on the movement's
decisions.
Haqqani wanted
for justice
Sirajuddin Haqqani is wanted for
questioning in connection with an attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul, that
dates back to 2008. It is believed that Haqqani was involved in attacks
attempting to assassinate former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, in addition to
the killing of a number of American soldiers.
The Taliban movement claimed
responsibility for the operation, and Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid
stated that the operation resulted in the killing of three members of the
movement, while three managed to escape. Small arms and rocket-propelled
grenades were used in the attack.
