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Taliban admit covering up death of leader Mullah Omar for two years Taliban admit covering up death of leader Mullah Omar for two years
(about 2 hours later)
The Taliban have admitted covering up the death of their longtime leader Mullah Omar for two years, saying they had wanted to keep it secret until foreign forces ended their fight against the militants. The Taliban concealed the “depressing news” of the death of its former leader Mullah Omar for more than two years because the movement was in the final stages of its fight against US-led forces, a detailed biography of the group’s new chief has revealed.
The group confirmed in July that Omar had died but did not say when, deepening internal divisions. Many insurgents accused the leadership of keeping them in the dark while issuing statements in his name. Until the news leaked last month, the death of the Taliban’s founder on 23 April 2013 was kept a secret “limited to the very few colleagues who were informed of this incorrigible loss”, according to the long statement published on the movement’s website on Monday.
The scheduled end of the Nato combat mission in 2014 meant the Taliban had no choice but to cover up the death of a leader whose legendary status and claim to be the “commander of the faithful” was critical to holding together Islamist rebels during the onslaught from foreign forces.
“One of the main reasons behind this decision was due to the fact that 2013 was considered the final year of power testing between the mujahideen and foreign invaders,” said the statement, which was published in several languages including English.
Related: Mullah Omar obituaryRelated: Mullah Omar obituary
The admission of a coverup on Monday was buried in a lengthy biography of the new Taliban chief, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, apparently published to improve his image and quell the growing internal rancour over his appointment. The 4,500-word biography appeared designed to shore up the position of Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, the man whose succession as leader of the Taliban has faced a heavy challenge from within the ranks, including from Omar’s family who have refused to back him.
Posted on the Taliban website in five languages, the biography acknowledged that Omar died in April 2013 – as was first claimed by Afghan intelligence. The revelation of Omar’s death not only caused turmoil inside the movement but also threw prospects of further peace talks with the Afghan government into doubt after scheduled talks between the two sides in Pakistan were cancelled.
“Several key members of the supreme leading council of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) and authentic religious scholars together decided on concealing the tragic news of passing away of (Omar) … and keep this secret limited to the very few colleagues who were already informed of this incorrigible loss,” said the biography, which ran to nearly 5,000 words. In an effort to build support for the new leader, Mansoor is portrayed as a man of simple tastes whose battlefield experience began in his mid-teens when he abandoned his religious studies to join the “jihad” against the Soviet Union’s occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s.
“One of the main reasons behind this decision was … that 2013 was considered the final year of power testing between the mujahideen and foreign invaders who … had announced that at the end of 2014, all military operations by foreign troops would be concluded.” Supposedly adept at shooting, “he particularly loves and has interest in marksmanship”, the biography states.
Related: Mullah Akhtar Mansoor: Taliban's new leader has a reputation for moderationRelated: Mullah Akhtar Mansoor: Taliban's new leader has a reputation for moderation
Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan last December and pulled out the bulk of its troops, although a 13,000-strong residual force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations. He was injured “with 13 wounds in his body” during an assault on a Russian military post in the southern province of Kandahar in 1987 and only stopped fighting after the collapse of the Soviet-backed communist government in 1992.
Omar was seen as a figurehead who observers say kept the fractious movement from splintering as the rival Islamic State group began making inroads into Afghanistan. But he played a key role in the formation of the Taliban in 1994 and was put in charge of Kandahar airport before later being appointed minister of aviation and tourism when the capital fell in 1996.
The Taliban had continued as recently as July to release official statements in the name of Omar, lionised as a “commander of the faithful” who enjoyed the loyalties of militants across the region. Following the US-led invasion of 2001 he was put in charge of insurgent activities in the south and made deputy head of the movement in 2007.
“The Taliban had to conceal the death of a leader who had an uncanny power to rally militants around him,” Kabul-based military analyst Atiqullah Amarkhil told AFP. Although the biography is at pains to claim that his formal elevation to leader of the Taliban last month was supported by senior members of the movement, analysts say his position is still far from secure.
“His name was enough to prevent the Taliban’s disintegration.” Michael Semple, a veteran observer of the Taliban, said the succession battle was only just beginning. He said there was no evidence that Mansoor was either “pro-peace” or particularly close to Pakistan’s intelligence establishment, which some have hoped will use its influence to steer the insurgency towards the negotiating table.
But the Taliban apparently came under pressure to confirm his death after the Afghan spy agency said he died two years ago in a Karachi hospital.
The Taliban biography of Mansour lauded his “jihadi acumen”, describing him as a pious warrior who was “naturally bequeathed with unique leading and guiding capabilities”.
It said his biggest achievement was revamping Afghanistan’s fledgling air fleet and airports as the civil aviation minister during the Taliban’s 1996-2001 rule over the country.
The biography was also peppered with details about his frugal lifestyle, saying “he likes and wears loose, neat and clean clothes ... (and) dislikes and avoids extravagance”.
It added that he “speaks less and tries to listen more to other people”.
Mansour’s contentious rise has triggered a power struggle within the Taliban, which has suffered a string of defections to Isis.
The biography said Mansour’s appointment was “totally legitimate”.
But some top leaders, including Omar’s son and brother, have refused to pledge allegiance to Mansour, saying the process to select him was rushed and biased.
The power struggle, observers say, could be a very effective recruitment tool for Isis, potentially helping it attract more Taliban turncoats.