KABUL: The United States lifts a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Sirajuddin Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader and Afghanistan’s acting interior minister, according to an Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesperson.
Despite the announcement, the FBI continues to list Haqqani as wanted, alleging his involvement in cross-border attacks against US and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The decision follows the Taliban’s release of US citizen George Glezmann, who had been held captive for two years after being abducted while traveling in Afghanistan in December 2022. His release marks the third instance of an American detainee being freed by the Taliban since January.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomes Glezmann’s release, calling it a “positive and constructive step,” while acknowledging Qatar’s role in securing the deal.
The Taliban has framed the release of detainees as part of its global effort for diplomatic recognition. However, the group remains largely unrecognized internationally since its takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, despite some countries maintaining diplomatic engagements.
The Taliban’s return to power followed the US military withdrawal, negotiated in 2020 under former President Donald Trump, leading to the swift collapse of the Western-backed Afghan government.