State Department designates Taliban commander "global terrorist"

The U.S. Department of State has designated Taliban shadow deputy governor and operational commander Qari Saifullah a "specially designated global terrorist."

The designation, authorized under Executive Order 13224, targets terrorists and supporters of terrorists or terrorist acts. The State Department described the terrorist acts committed by Saifullah in its Tuesday announcement.

"Qari Saifullah is the Taliban shadow deputy governor and an operational commander in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. As an operational commander, Qari Saifullah has used Taliban fighters to organize terrorist activities against the Government of Afghanistan and Coalition Forces in eastern Zabul Province. Qari Saifullah has also directly ordered his subordinates to conduct improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, small arms fire attacks, and rocket attacks in Zabul Province against the Government of Afghanistan.

"On January 14, 2012, six Taliban insurgents subordinate to Qari Saifullah attacked a Romanian convoy. The Taliban insurgents attacked the convoy in the vicinity of Abdul Haq Kalay Village, Tarnak Wa Jaldak District with rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).

Related

• Fallujah is lost, Iraqi military says
• U.S. says Afghanistan has only 'weeks' to sign security deal
• Police in southern Afghanistan find girl wearing suicide vest
• Afghanistan says thousands may monitor upcoming election
• Visiting U.S. senators urge Afghan president to sign security deal

"On September 28, 2011, two suicide bombers under the direction of Taliban commander Qari Saifullah were planning attacks. One suicide bomber planned to attack the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) at Forward Operating Base Smart in Qalat District, Zabul Province. The second suicide bomber planned to attack Forward Operating Base Bullard in Shajoy District.

Advertisement

"On November 25, 2010, Qari Saifullah ordered a Taliban commander and Taliban shadow sub-Governor of Atghar District, Zabul Province, to transport light weapons to Qalat City Center, Zabul Province. The shipment included approximately 25 Kalashnikov rifles, 10 machine guns, five RPGs, and 20 grenades. Suicide bombers planned to use these weapons against Coalition Forces and Afghan National Security Forces, specifically targeting the Second Afghan National Army Brigade and Police Headquarters in Qalat, Zabul Province.

"The consequences of this designation include a prohibition against U.S. persons engaging in transactions with Qari Saifullah, and the freezing of all property and interests of Qari Saifullah that are in the United States, or come within the United States or the possession or control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took this action in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury."

[State Department]