RASC News Agency: Anas Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader and brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, has described the U.S. government’s decision to remove the Taliban’s Interior Minister from its most-wanted list as a major political victory. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Anas Haqqani stated that this move was part of the agreements reached during the Doha negotiations and represents a step toward improved relations between the U.S. and the Taliban. He further emphasized that the decision opens new avenues for political engagement and could mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two sides.
Reports confirm that the U.S. State Department has removed Sirajuddin Haqqani, Aziz Haqqani, and Yahya Haqqani from its most-wanted list, simultaneously revoking the financial bounties previously placed on their capture. Sources close to Sirajuddin Haqqani have also confirmed that these rewards have been officially withdrawn. Despite this, Sirajuddin Haqqani’s name remains on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, indicating that U.S. authorities have not completely absolved the Haqqani Network from scrutiny. The Haqqani Network, founded in the late 1970s by Jalaluddin Haqqani, has long been held responsible for orchestrating some of the most devastating attacks during the 20-year Afghanistani war. In September 2012, the U.S. State Department formally designated the network as a foreign terrorist organization, citing its direct involvement in large-scale militant operations, including the 19-hour siege on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in 2011 and the deadly attack on the Serena Hotel in 2008.
This decision coincides with a high-profile visit by a U.S. delegation to Kabul, led by Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. The delegation met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister, in what marks the first direct engagement between senior U.S. officials and the Taliban since their return to power. Reports indicate that the discussions encompassed a range of issues, including hostage negotiations. Notably, in the days leading up to the visit, Taliban authorities removed anti-American slogans from the walls of the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul. However, it remains unclear whether the delegation engaged with other senior Taliban officials during their trip.
