Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

U.S. Designates Taliban Leader Qari Saifullah Terrorist

U.S. Designates Taliban  Leader Qari Saifullah Terrorist

KABUL - The U.S. State Department declared Qari Saifullah, a Quetta-based Taliban leader, a specially designated global terrorist. The leader is a Taliban's shadow deputy governor and an operational commander in southern Zabul province, but the designation identifies him as a resident of Quetta.

The State Department reported that Saifullah has used Taliban fighters to organize terrorist activities against the Afghan government and coalition forces in southern Zabul province.

He has also directly ordered his subordinates to conduct explosive attacks, small arms fire attacks and rocket attacks in Zabul against the government.

Meanwhile, a number of the Afghan lawmakers believe that the U.S. State Department move is beneficial for Afghanistan's peace and stability.

"Including these individuals on the list could be a positive move for Afghanistan, because it creates fear amongst the people and those involved in destabilizing and damaging Afghanistan would realize that there are people who monitor their movements," said Semeen Barakzai, a member of Parliament's Defense Committee.

Some Afghan political experts said that this kind of move would only be effective if well-coordinated between the international community and Afghanistan. 

"It could be effective when there is understanding and unanimity of views between the Afghan government and international community with regard to dangerous persons, terrorists and Taliban networks," political analyst Jawid Kohistani said. "If the U.S. declares them terrorists and the Afghan government recommends they be excluded from the blacklist, in that case, this wouldn't be effective."

On January 14 of last year, six Taliban insurgents subordinate to Saifullah attacked a Romanian convoy in the vicinity of Abdul Haq Kalay village with rocket-propelled grenades, according to the State Department.

On Sept 28, 2011, two suicide bombers under the leader's direction planned to attack the U.S.-led provincial reconstruction teams in Qalat and Shajoy districts of Zabul.

On Nov 25, 2010, the leader has reportedly ordered a Taliban commander and Taliban shadow sub-governor of Atghar District of Zabul to transport light weapons to Qalat City Centre in Zabul. The shipment included approximately 25 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 machine guns, five RPGs and 20 grenades.

Suicide bombers planned to use these weapons against coalition forces and Afghan National Security Forces, specifically targeting the Second Afghan National Army Brigade and Police Headquarters in Zabul. (Tolo News)