Washington: ‘Key commanders of the Haqqani Network, including Sirajuddin Haqqani, have been appointed to key positions in the Taliban’s cabinet in Afghanistan. The Haqqani network’s grip on the Taliban government is a matter of concern and could be a threat to US security,’ the US intelligence agency has warned. Just last week, US senators declared the Taliban a terrorist organization and demanded sanctions on countries that recognize its rule. 

Major responsible countries around the world are demanding that the Taliban government in Afghanistan be inclusive. They are urging that all groups, as well as women, be given a place in it. But it is evident that the Haqqani Network has a significant influence on the cabinet announced by the Taliban in the last two weeks. Mullah Baradar and his supporters, who are in negotiations internationally, are claimed to have been isolated by the Haqqani Network.  

Mullah Akhund, who was declared the acting Prime Minister of the Taliban cabinet, is aligned with the Haqqani Network and Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. At the same time, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is on the US’s most wanted list for terrorism, has been entrusted the responsibility of the Taliban’s Interior Ministry.  

Western analysts and media are alleging that this Taliban cabinet was formed at the behest of the ISI. Concerns have been raised on the issue in various committees in the US Senate for the past few days.  

The US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee questioned FBI Director Christopher Wray, Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas and National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid on the matter. Senator Rob Portman, a member of the Senate committee, said that ‘Given the way we withdrew from Afghanistan, the long-drawn war is over, but the situation in Afghanistan has been made even more dangerous’.  

In response, the US security department chief also expressed concern over the current situation in Afghanistan. Wray said the FBI had announced a $10 million reward for information on Sirajuddin Haqqani. He added that 

the terrorist getting an important place in the Taliban government is a matter of great concern. All three heads of the US security apparatus acknowledged that the appointment of Haqqani Network terrorists to key positions in the Taliban government was detrimental to US security interests.  

Christine Abizaid warned that the threat from Al Qaeda had grown due to the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and the country going under the Taliban control after that. Abizaid said Al Qaeda has a safe haven in Afghanistan which is a threat to US security.  

US military analysts and former army officials have also warned that Afghanistan will become an international centre of terrorism after Taliban rule is established. They also said that when it happens, along with Afghanistan’s neighbours, Europe and the United States will face the hits of the terrorism emerging from Afghanistan. 

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