The United States has withdrawn its $10 million bounty on Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani. This decision was confirmed by a spokesperson from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior.
However, despite the announcement on Saturday (March 22), Haqqani’s name remains on the FBI’s wanted list. The FBI accuses him of involvement in cross-border attacks on US and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
This move follows the Taliban government’s recent release of an American citizen, George Glazeman, who had been detained for two years. He was arrested in December 2022 while visiting Afghanistan as a tourist. This marks the third time since January that the Taliban has freed a US citizen.
Sirajuddin Haqqani currently serves as Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Interior. The Taliban government claims that releasing US citizens is part of their efforts to normalize global relations. However, since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban regime has yet to receive formal recognition from the international community.
Haqqani’s father, Jalaluddin Haqqani, was a key figure in the fight against the former Soviet Union and founded the Haqqani Network, which the US designates as a terrorist organization.