In a stunning shift that signals changing dynamics in U.S.-Taliban relations, the United States has officially removed multi-million-dollar bounties on senior figures of the Haqqani Network — including Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s current Taliban interior minister.
Haqqani, once the most wanted militant in the region, previously had a $10 million reward on his head for information leading to his capture. The U.S. State Department has now confirmed there is “no current reward” for Sirajuddin Haqqani, his brother Abdul Aziz Haqqani, or his brother-in-law Yahya Haqqani. However, all three remain listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, and the Haqqani Network is still classified as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S.
A Move Rooted in Diplomacy?
The announcement comes shortly after U.S. officials, including hostage envoy Adam Boehler and former Afghanistan envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, met with Taliban leaders in Kabul to negotiate the release of George Glezmann, an American tourist detained since December 2022. His release was confirmed days after the meeting — though it’s unclear if lifting the bounties was part of that negotiation.
Taliban officials celebrated the move, calling it a “result of continued diplomatic efforts.” Spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani stated it reflected improving ties between Kabul and Washington.
Who Are the Haqqanis?
The Haqqani Network, founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani during the anti-Soviet jihad of the 1980s, was once supported by the CIA. Over the decades, however, it evolved into one of the most lethal anti-Western militant groups in the region, with links to al-Qaeda and a track record of deadly attacks against the U.S. embassy, Indian embassy, and NATO forces.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, Jalaluddin’s son, has emerged as a dominant figure in the current Taliban administration. His influence is growing not just domestically — where he reportedly disagrees with the Taliban’s supreme leader on women’s education — but also internationally, as recent developments suggest.
Rising Influence Inside and Out
As internal rifts widen within the Taliban’s leadership, the Haqqanis are attempting to portray a more moderate stance, appealing to Afghans disillusioned by harsh restrictions under Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Externally, the removal of bounties — despite the group’s continued terror designation — signals a possible thaw between the U.S. and the Taliban, which has ruled Afghanistan since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
What Comes Next?
The decision to lift the bounties has raised eyebrows globally, especially among critics wary of legitimizing Taliban leaders once considered America’s most dangerous enemies. However, it may also indicate a pragmatic U.S. approach to engaging with power players in Afghanistan amid growing regional instability and stalled diplomatic efforts.
As both countries navigate this new chapter, one thing is clear: the Haqqani Network, once seen solely as a threat, is now a key player in Afghanistan’s governance — and increasingly, on the world stage
