Mullah Abdul Manan, who led the Taliban’s brutal campaigns in southern Afghanistan, was killed as American diplomats push the group to join peace talks.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s most senior commander in southern Afghanistan was killed in an American airstrike, the insurgent group and Afghan and American officials said on Sunday.
The commander, Mullah Abdul Manan, had orchestrated the insurgents’ campaign to take over much of Helmand Province. He was also believed to be a key figure in developing the Taliban’s special forces, the Red Unit, which have carried out deadly attacks across the country.
The Taliban described the death of Mullah Manan, whose was born Mullah Mohammad Rahim, as a great loss, but insisted that it would not affect the group’s momentum.
“The Taliban should consider intensifying peace talks, not the fight,” Sgt. First Class Debra Richardson, a spokeswoman for the United States forces in Afghanistan, said, confirming that Mullah Manan had been killed by an American airstrike.
“They’re going to have trouble intensifying the fight when their fighters and leaders are under constant assault. Peace talks are the only solution,” she added.
