Taliban Claims US Withdraws $10m Reward for Sirajuddin Haqqani

The United States has withdrawn a $10 million reward for any information that could help catch Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, as reported by Afghanistan's interior ministry. This decision comes after U.S. officials held direct talks with the Taliban in Kabul, which resulted in the release of an American citizen who had been held for more than two years.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, took over the leadership of the network that became part of the Taliban back in the 1990s. Today, this group still holds significant influence, perhaps the most influence in Afghanistan’s Taliban led government.

The FBI’s website still lists the bounty, calling Haqqani a key player in the assaults on U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan and this somewhat shows the uncertainty regarding changes in US policy. The Haqqani Network, led by Sirajuddin, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. for its involvement in years of violence, including throughout the 20 year Afghan conflict.

These talks were the highest level engagement between the US and the Taliban since President Donald Trump took office. US envoy Adam Boehler met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to go over bilateral relations, discuss prisoner releases, and talk about consular services for Afghans in the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the detainee was released but didn’t touch on the issue of the bounty. The US has made no comment on the supposed lifting of the bounty.