The State Department confirmed today that Akhundzada, who holds considerable sway over over madrasas in Balochistan, the Pakistani region where Mansour was killed, and was administrative assistant to previous Taliban leader Mullah Omar, is not designated as a terrorist by the United States.
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The U.S. drone strike that killed the Taliban’s leader has also set up a potential leadership struggle between two of the terror group’s up-and-comers, and may signal more attacks on Western targets.
Responding to Afghan and U.S. allegations that his country harbours the Taliban, he insisted: “Pakistan’s efforts, successes and sacrifices in fight against terrorism have been unparalleled”. But he is believed to have run the movement in Mullah Omar’s name for more than two years.
But Lalai said he did not appear to have the kind of political skills needed to change the strategic direction of the Taliban, which has ruled out joining peace talks, even if he wanted to.
‘The latest developments offer Taliban groups yet another opportunity to end and renounce violence, lay down their arms, and resume a normal and peaceful life, ‘ said Zafar Hashimi, a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Hours after the Taliban’s statement on their new leader was made to the media, the head of a main dissident faction that broke away previous year to protest Mansour’s elevation said the group would not accept Akhundzada either.
Mullah Mansoor was killed by the US drone strike on Saturday afternoon (Pakistan time) when he was traveling in a vehicle near a small town named Ahmad Wal in Balochistan Province which borders Afghanistan and Iran.
Akhundzada took charge of the Taliban following the death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour on May 21 in a U.S. drone strike inside Pakistan.
Mansour headed the Taliban for a year, accelerating terrorist attacks under his leadership.
Born in Kandahar province of Afghanistan, Akhundzada belongs to the Eshaqzai clan.
According to a statement by the National Security Council (NSC), the National Directorate of Security (NDS) operatives arrested Haqyar for supporting the Taliban group and calling its leader a “martyr”.
Akhunzada severed as the deputy chief of Taliban and was a member of the leadership council of the Taliban.
The surprise announcement coincided with a powerful suicide bombing near the capital Kabul, which killed at least ten court employees in an attack that was not immediately claimed by any group. The revelation of Mullah Omar’s death and Mansour’s deception led to widespread mistrust, with some senior Taliban leaders leaving the group to set up their own factions. “He is unlikely to negotiate with the Afghan government”.
“This understanding has not been respected”, he said.
The other new deputy has been identified as Sirajuddin Haqqani, another top Taliban figure who is well known to US officials as a battlefield commander and terrorist linked to some high-profile attacks in the region.
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Instead, some experts said, Akhundzada is likely to pursue aggressive attacks throughout the summer, intensifying the pressure on Obama to reconsider his plan to withdraw USA military trainers and special forces and leave the decision on how to end America’s longest war to his successor.
