Taliban Name New Afghanistan Government, Interior Minister Part of Terrorist Network

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid (L) gestures as he speaks during the first press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 17, 2021. The Taliban Wants Stronger China Relations as it is back in power in Afghanistan. Hoshang Hashimi /AFP via Getty Images

The Taliban announced a new government for Afghanistan on Tuesday, with Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund to be the country’s interim prime minister and co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar as the second-in-command.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the development at a press conference on Tuesday, also saying that Abdul Ghani Baradar will be the deputy leader and Sirajuddin Haqqani, a member of the Haqqani network that has long been designated as a terrorist organization by the Department of State, is the country’s interior minister. And Mullah Yaqoob, will be the defense minister, the spokesman added.