Part: 3

During my visit to Afghanistan, I endeavored to contribute to the country's transformation. In the third segment of our discussion on Afghanistan's landscape, we engage in a conversation with the Minister of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob. He reflects on the absence of his father, the late Mullah Muhammad Umar, may he rest in peace. Mullah Yaqoob expresses a longing to convey to his father that he has matured and is no longer the eight-year-old child who was shielded from the gaze of his family and the world.

The present Minister of Defense recounts this conversation, detailing how he communicated his intentions to his father regarding managing the family responsibilities. He recounts, "In the days leading up to his passing, I disclosed my plans to my father. Shortly before his demise, he wrote to me, discussing my upcoming marriage and affirming my maturity. I expressed my desire to assume responsibility for family matters in his absence, including financial affairs. Initially overseen by Abdul Manan Omari, who now serves as the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, these responsibilities were transitioned to me with my father's consent. I vividly recall the period when he was away, requesting visits cautiously to avoid revealing his whereabouts and expressing regret for any potential risk involved."

Regarding the news of the passing of Mullah Muhammad Umar, may he rest in peace, reports indicate that his death was disclosed several months after the event, with the information deliberately withheld from key figures within the movement. In a moment of revelation, Mullah Yaqoob shares a glimpse into this enigmatic period, stating, "We learned of his demise a day after it occurred. Aware of the gravity of his illness, those close to Mullah Umar Mujahid, may he rest in peace, who resided with him in Zabul province, had an encounter with the messenger, a mutual acquaintance of Mullah Umar and the Taliban leadership. This intermediary, who was also attending to my father's medical needs, had gone to procure medication for him, only to discover his passing that very night."

He reached out to us, and in the company of certain leaders, I journeyed to the border regions. It was a Friday when Mullah Omar Mujahid, may he rest in peace, passed away on a Wednesday. It was at this juncture that we encountered the intermediary, Mullah Azizullah.

Accompanied by our uncle Abd al-Manan Umari and Mullah Umar's mentor, may he rest in peace, we were advised to transport my father to the hospital as his condition was being discussed by Mullah Azizullah. Suddenly, the phrase "May God have mercy" escaped his lips, signaling to me that my father had departed.

Mullah Yaqub narrated this somber tale with the sorrow and grief of Mullah Omar, may he rest in peace, and proceeded to recount a perilous journey to the residence where Mullah Omar, may he rest in peace, passed away and was laid to rest—a journey fraught with danger, particularly in Afghanistan's southern regions known as the heartland of the Taliban. Reflecting on the experience, Mullah Yaqoob recalled, "Accompanied by my uncle, we ventured towards the house of his burial. The province was heavily patrolled by American tanks, making our passage challenging. Despite the presence of American aircraft, we managed to access the room where my father had resided and been interred. No visible sign indicated the location of his grave. Upon locating the burial site, I confirmed his passing, turning his face towards me for a final farewell kiss before reverently reorienting him towards the Qibla. His peaceful countenance, resembling that of one asleep, was a poignant sight."

Upon confirming his father's passing, Mullah Yaqoob and his uncle promptly notified the movement leadership of the sad news. Recounting the events, Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob stated, "In the Afghan terrain, we encountered Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor, who subsequently assumed leadership of the movement. We also met with Mawlawi Sheikh Hibatullah Akhunzada, now the Amir-ul-Momineen of the Islamic Emirate, and Mawlawi Abdul Hakim, to whom we relayed the news of our discovery regarding my father's demise. Subsequently, a gathering took place attended by Noor Muhammad Saqib, Abdul Qayyum Zakir, Ameer Khan Muttaqi, and other members, although I was not present at this particular meeting. It was during this assembly that Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor was officially elected as the new emir of the movement."

When I inquired about the rationale behind withholding the announcement of Mullah Muhammad Umar's, may he rest in peace, passing at that particular juncture, Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob promptly responded: "There were two primary reasons, internal and external. Internally, we refrained from disclosing his demise to avert any adverse effects on the movement's internal cohesion, particularly given its clandestine nature and the relentless external pressures it faced. Our aim was to prevent any fragmentation within the movement. Externally, the concern stemmed from a commitment made by American President Barack Obama to withdraw troops from Afghanistan at the time. We feared that an announcement of his death could potentially prompt a shift in the decision to withdraw American forces from the region."

In the upcoming segment, we will engage in a conversation with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs courtyard, delving into Afghanistan's connections to the global community and its position as a gateway to the world.