US Removes $10M Reward for Taliban Leader Haqqani
The United States has removed its $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, a decision made shortly after the Taliban released American citizen George Glezmann, who had been held captive for two years.
US Removes $10M Reward for Taliban Leader Sirajuddin Haqqani Amid Diplomatic Shifts and Hostage Release. |
Despite the reward’s removal, the FBI continues to list Haqqani on its website, highlighting his role in orchestrating attacks against US and coalition forces in Afghanistan. This development suggests a shift in US policy amid ongoing negotiations with the Taliban.
George Glezmann, who was abducted in December 2022 during a trip to Afghanistan, is the third American detainee freed by the Taliban since January 2025.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the release as a “positive and constructive step,” acknowledging Qatar’s key role in facilitating the negotiations.
The Taliban claims the release aligns with its broader efforts toward global “normalization.” Nevertheless, the group remains largely unrecognized internationally since its 2021 seizure of Afghanistan.
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The US withdrawal under President Joe Biden, following a deal brokered by Donald Trump, left the Western-backed Afghan government susceptible to collapse.Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Haqqani Network, is a significant figure within the Taliban hierarchy.
His group, deemed a terrorist organization by the US, is notorious for suicide bombings, high-profile assaults, and the kidnapping of Western nationals. Despite the Taliban’s resurgence, Haqqani remains influential within its leadership.
In 2022, a US drone strike in Kabul killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri at a residence tied to Haqqani, highlighting his enduring prominence and the intricate relations between the Taliban and the US.
The decision to rescind the reward sparks debate over the future of US-Taliban relations and potential diplomatic engagements. While the Taliban seeks international legitimacy, the US faces the challenge of balancing security concerns with diplomatic pragmatism.
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