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Haqqani network's founder dies after long illness, Afghan Taliban says
Source: NBC News
Haqqani network's founder dies after long illness, Afghan Taliban says
Due to the Haqqanis' wealth and deep links to local tribes, one Western diplomat once called them "the Kennedys of the Taliban movement."
by Alexander Smith and Mushtaq Yusufzai / Sep.04.2018 / 6:59 AM ET
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The founder of the Haqqani network, the group behind some of the bloodiest attacks against U.S. and NATO troops and civilians in Afghanistan, has died after a long illness, according to the Afghan Taliban.
Jalaluddin Haqqani created the militant organization bearing his name in the 1970s and but relinquished leadership to his son some years ago. The Haqqanis are an integral part of the Afghan Taliban.
In a statement announcing his death, the Afghan Taliban called Haqqani a "prominent jihadi figure, religious scholar, exemplary warrior and pioneer of celebrated jihads."
It said he had been suffering a long illness and bedridden for several years. There were previous widespread reports of his death in 2015.
The elder Haqqani wasn't always an enemy of the U.S.
-snip-
Due to the Haqqanis' wealth and deep links to local tribes, one Western diplomat once called them "the Kennedys of the Taliban movement."
by Alexander Smith and Mushtaq Yusufzai / Sep.04.2018 / 6:59 AM ET
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The founder of the Haqqani network, the group behind some of the bloodiest attacks against U.S. and NATO troops and civilians in Afghanistan, has died after a long illness, according to the Afghan Taliban.
Jalaluddin Haqqani created the militant organization bearing his name in the 1970s and but relinquished leadership to his son some years ago. The Haqqanis are an integral part of the Afghan Taliban.
In a statement announcing his death, the Afghan Taliban called Haqqani a "prominent jihadi figure, religious scholar, exemplary warrior and pioneer of celebrated jihads."
It said he had been suffering a long illness and bedridden for several years. There were previous widespread reports of his death in 2015.
The elder Haqqani wasn't always an enemy of the U.S.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/haqqani-network-s-founder-dies-after-long-illness-afghan-taliban-n906116