US Lifts $10 Million Bounty on Taliban Leader Sirajuddin Haqqani

The United States has reportedly removed a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Sirajuddin Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader and acting interior minister of Afghanistan.

Photo by Ali Khara/Reuters

The announcement, made by an Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs spokesperson on Saturday, comes just days after the Taliban released George Glezmann, a U.S. citizen held captive for over two years.

Despite the Afghan government’s statement, the FBI continues to list the bounty on its website, describing Haqqani as someone who "coordinated and participated in cross-border attacks" against U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department has not yet commented on the reported decision.

Glezmann, an airline technician from Atlanta, was abducted while traveling in Afghanistan as a tourist in December 2022. His release marks the third time this year that a U.S. detainee has been freed by the Taliban, with Qatar playing a key mediating role.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Glezmann’s release a “positive and constructive step,” praising Qatar for its instrumental involvement.

The Taliban has framed these releases as part of their broader effort to normalize relations with the international community. However, the group remains largely unrecognized globally since retaking power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Haqqani, who leads the Haqqani Network—a U.S.-designated terrorist organization—is infamous for orchestrating high-profile attacks, including suicide bombings and assassinations. His network has also been linked to holding Western hostages for ransom.

While his removal from the Rewards for Justice program may signal evolving U.S.-Taliban dynamics, it remains unclear whether this move is tied to recent negotiations or broader geopolitical considerations.

This development highlights ongoing complexities in U.S.-Taliban relations as both sides navigate post-conflict diplomacy amid lingering tensions over past hostilities.