Afghanistan Analysts Network – English

AAN in the Media

The Rise Of Mullah Yaqoob, The Taliban’s New Military Chief

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RFE/RL, 27 August 2020

AAN’s Obaid Ali is quoted in this piece, about the importance relations of current high-ranking Taleban officials had with late founder Mullah Omar for their current standing in the movement.

“Mullah Omar was a charismatic leader and there remains huge respect for him, his family, and even his close associates, many of whom have been promoted to influential positions,” said Obaid Ali, an expert on the insurgency at the Afghanistan Analysts Network, an independent think tank in Kabul.

Experts said Mullah Omar’s family also has the financial clout to buy loyalty. (…) “There is also no doubt that Mullah Omar’s family is very wealthy,” Ali said.