The UN Security Council’s Afghanistan/Taliban Sanctions (1988) Committee has imposed powerful worldwide sanctions against Haqqani Network and its chief of suicide operations, Qari Zakir.
Reports say the sanctions committee ordered all UN member states to freeze the assets, travel ban, and arms embargo against Zakir and the Haqqani Network.
The group is reportedly linked to al-Qaida and other militant organizations particularly thriving in Kabul and Afghan provinces.
At New York today, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Rice says the United States welcomes the UN Security Council’s Afghanistan/Taliban Sanctions (1988) Committee to impose sanctions on the Haqqani Network, a fierce militant group considered a major threat to U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, and its chief operational commander Qari Zakir.
Ms. Rice notes that Zakir is an operational commander who has been involved in many of the Haqqani Network’s highest-profile suicide attacks and has trained individuals to use small arms, heavy weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
She cites that personnel selected from Zakir’s training program attacked coalition force bases Salerno and Chapman in 2010, the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul in June 2011, which killed 11 civilians and two Afghan policemen, and the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in September 2011, which killed 16 Afghans, including at least six children.
“These sanctions oblige all UN member states to implement an asset freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo against Zakir and the Haqqani Network.” -Ms. Rice
According to Ms. Rice, in September 2012, the United States designated the Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity.
She stresses that today’s action by the Security Council expands upon these sanctions and confirms the international community’s resolve to end the Haqqani Network’s ability to execute violent attacks in Afghanistan.
“It also reflects the Security Council’s commitment to use and enforce sanctions against those who threaten peace in Afghanistan, in conjunction with a strong commitment to support Afghan-led peace and reconciliation.” -Ms. Rice
In September this year, recognizing the threats posed by Haqqani Network in terms of terrorism, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has underlined the blacklisting the terrorist group is a right decision.
The US government does very intensive analysis before it designates someone as a foreign terrorist organization.
Ms. Clinton said blacklisting the terrorist group is about squeezing them in the ways that now are available to us under the designation and the Executive Order.
The move gives the United States much greater reach into any financial assets or fundraising that they may engage in, gives United States better traction against assets that they might own.
In November 2011, the Department of State has designated Haqqani Network Commander Mali Khan under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. As a result of the designation, all property subject to U.S. jurisdiction in which Mali Khan has any interest is blocked and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him.
The Haqqani Network is a Taliban-affiliated group of militants that operates from North Waziristan Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. The Haqqani Network has been at the forefront of insurgent activity in Afghanistan, responsible for many high-profile attacks.
