But the strike in Pakistan on Saturday that killed Mansour has boosted the idea that the USA can continue pursuing so-called high-value targets and mid-level Taliban extremists, officials said. He thanked “our military and intelligence personnel” for “once again sending a clear message”.
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When asked why Mansour was targeted, Amarkhil explained: “Since Mansour had close links with Al-Qaeda, he was an irreconcilable element of the peace process and had always organised attacks on Afghan and foreign forces, and therefore the USA chose to eliminate him”.
In August, the Taliban’s Shura Council had to meet on a successor to founder Mullah Omar, deciding on Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a move that sparked a bloody leadership battle over the next several months.
The Taliban have so far made no official statement on the fate of Mansour.
He had returned to Taftan from Iran on May 21 and was killed the same day around 3 pm by the USA drone in the Kochki area of Nushki district.
The president also expressed his gratitude to those involved in planning and carrying out the operation and to all Americans who have contributed to US efforts in Afghanistan.
Killing Mullah Mansour sent a message that “we’re going to protect our people”, he said.
The Taliban leader’s actions had led “to the death and suffering of countless Afghan civilians and security forces”, he said in a statement.
There will be severe consequences if Sirajuddin Haqqani, considered one of the most risky warlords in the Middle East, becomes leader of the Taliban following the reported killing of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, a Russian Foreign Ministry official has said.
Mansour’s removal will momentarily “discombobulate” one element of the Taliban movement while they decide who will be their next leader, Gouttierre, who served in Afghanistan as a State Department officer, Peace Corp volunteer and coached the country’s national basketball team, said.
The editorial demanded that Obama approve recommendations now being drawn up by the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, for “more airpower and an extended troop presence”.
Mansour’s death came days after diplomats from Pakistan, Afghanistan, US and China held the latest round of talks in Islamabad about a flagging effort to draw the Taliban into peace negotiations.
Islamabad, which says it hosts numerous Afghan Taliban’s top leadership to exert influence over them and bring them back to peace talks with Kabul, called the U.S. drone attack a violation of its sovereignty.
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Haqqani is the leader of the notorious Haqqani terrorist network and he reportedly played a key role in resolving the Taliban leadership issues following the confirmation of Mullah Mohammad Omar’s death.
