Taliban appoints Kabul Attack Network commander as provincial governor

[Valin]

FDD's Long War Journal

Bill Roggio

November 9, 2021

A notorious Taliban commander who organized attacks in and around the capital of Kabul, including deadly attacks on U.S. soldiers and civilians, was appointed by the Taliban to serve as the governor of Kabul province.

*The U.S. military previously described the commander, known as Qari Baryal, as an “al Qaeda-associated Taliban leader.” Baryal regularly received cash from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps – Qods Force to execute his attacks.

Baryal was named the governor of Kabul province on Nov. 7, 2021, according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Baryal was one of 44 Taliban leaders who were appointed provincial-level positions. All of those appointed are hardcore Taliban members.

Baryal led what was known as the Qari Baryal Group, which by the early 2010s was estimated to have 150 to 200 fighters in its ranks. Baryal, who is from the Tagab Valley in Kapisa and began his career as a commander in Hizb-I-Islami, rose through the ranks of the Taliban to lead forces in central and northeastern Afghanistan, including the provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, and Kunar.

(Snip)

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* Paging Mike Pompeo...Paging Mike Pompeo