RASC News Agency: Reliable sources in Kandahar have confirmed that Mahmood Shah Habibi, the former head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, was transferred ten days ago from a prison in Kandahar to the guesthouse of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, located in the Ain-o-Mena area. This guesthouse, which was formerly owned by General Abdul Raziq, the late Kandahar police chief, was later seized by Mullah Hibatullah. Sources have noted that although Mullah Hibatullah used the guesthouse for certain meetings in the past, his visits there have recently become less frequent.
Reports suggest that the Taliban has long blocked the roads surrounding the guesthouse to prevent public access. Additionally, sources revealed that two doctors were brought to the guesthouse a few days ago by Mullah Hibatullah’s guards, though it remains unclear who the doctors were brought to treat. According to Taliban sources, Mahmood Shah Habibi was transferred to Kandahar around a year ago after growing U.S. pressure on the Taliban. These sources added that information regarding his condition is restricted to the Taliban leadership, with lower-ranking members of the group not having access to such details.
Earlier, Tommy Bruce, the U.S. State Department spokesperson, expressed serious concerns about Habibi’s health and confirmed that efforts are underway to bring this Afghanistani-American citizen, along with other American nationals, back to their homes. In an interview with the media, Habibi’s brother stated that the situation of Mahmood Shah Habibi was discussed during a meeting between a U.S. delegation and the Taliban last Thursday. The U.S. State Department has reportedly committed to taking action to secure his release.
Following the recent visit of the U.S. delegation to Kabul, George Glezmann, an American citizen, was released after two years in Taliban custody. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, confirmed that the Taliban agreed to release Glezmann as a gesture of goodwill to Donald Trump and the American people.
