The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban leaders, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, the interior minister known for planning deadly attacks against the former Afghan government. The Haqqani network, led by the three individuals, was responsible for numerous violent attacks in Afghanistan, including bombings and kidnappings. The move to remove the bounties is seen as a step towards normalizing relations between the U.S. and the Taliban, following the Taliban’s release of a U.S. prisoner and control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway.
Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the group has made efforts to break out of its international isolation. China and Qatar have accepted Taliban representatives, while the U.S. has engaged with Taliban officials. However, the Taliban’s harsh rule, particularly towards women and girls, has faced criticism and condemnation worldwide.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, who has been under U.N. sanctions since 2007, has recently been allowed to travel to meet with leaders in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The removal of bounties on Haqqani is seen as a diplomatic gesture towards the Taliban, demonstrating that the U.S. is willing to reward compromises. Despite ongoing concerns about the Taliban’s governance, the U.S. and the international community are open to small diplomatic overtures towards normalization. The Taliban sees the removal of sanctions as a significant victory, allowing them to improve their ability to conduct business and travel internationally.
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