Taliban Name Lesser-Known Cleric as Their New Leader
KABUL, Afghanistan — Four days after their leader was killed in an American drone strike, the Taliban
broke their silence early Wednesday to announce that a lesser-known
deputy, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, would take over and continue the
group’s war against the Afghan government.
Mawlawi
Haibatullah, who is thought to be in his 50s, is seen within the group
as carrying deep religious credentials, and he served as a judicial
leader during the days of the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
But in the discussions leading up to his selection, Taliban commanders
described him as a respected elder who was guiding the selection
process, not as a front-runner himself.
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