The United States has lifted a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of a senior Taliban leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, according to Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani.
Sirajuddin previously claimed responsibility for a 2008 bombing at the Serena Hotel in Kabul that killed six people, including an American citizen. As of Sunday, however, the FBI still listed Sirajuddin as wanted for his role in deadly attacks against U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Qani said Sirajuddin’s brother, Abdul Aziz Haqqani, and cousin, Yahya Haqqani, also had their bounties removed.
The decision came shortly after the Taliban released U.S. citizen George Glezmann, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan in 2022. He is the third American freed by the Taliban this year.
Taliban officials claim the recent developments reflect improving relations. “We are moving beyond the wartime phase and taking constructive steps to pave the way for progress,” said Foreign Ministry official Zakir Jalaly.
He described recent U.S.-Taliban interactions as an example of “pragmatic and realistic engagement.”
The Haqqani Network is notorious for suicide bombings, kidnappings, and attacks on embassies and Afghan government targets. While no country has officially recognized the Taliban government, nations like China and Qatar maintain relations.
The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the bounty removals.
