Taliban name Sadar as new military chief

ISLAMABAD: The Taliban have appointed a new military chief as the insurgents try to gain more ground in Afghanistan rather than talk peace under a new leadership,

ISLAMABAD: The Taliban have appointed a new military chief as the insurgents try to gain more ground in Afghanistan rather than talk peace under a new leadership, Taliban officials said in telephone interviews recently.

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They said the appointment of Mullah Ibrahim Sadar, once a close ally of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar, heralds a commitment to confrontation at a time when multiple governments are trying to coax the group to the negotiating table.

Sadar is a battle-hardened commander, who gained prominence among Taliban foot soldiers following the movement’s overthrow in 2001 in the US-led invasion. His appointment coincides with an uptick in Taliban attacks against Afghan security forces.

Meanwhile, US officials said there has been no progress in talks since Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in May in Pakistan. Mansour was succeeded by Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.