Akhtar Mansour facts for kids
Akhtar Mohammad Mansour (born in the 1960s – died May 21, 2016) was an important leader of the Taliban, a political group in Afghanistan. He became the second supreme leader of the Taliban in July 2015, taking over from their first leader, Mullah Omar. Mansour led the group until May 2016, when he was killed in a drone strike by the United States in Balochistan, Pakistan.
United States President Barack Obama said that Mansour was killed because he was planning attacks on American targets in Kabul. Obama hoped that Mansour's death would help the Taliban join a peace process to end the conflict in Afghanistan.
Quick facts for kids
Akhtar Mohammad Mansour
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اختر محمد منصور
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| Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | |
| In exile 29 July 2015 – 21 May 2016 Acting: 23 April 2013 – 29 July 2015 |
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| Deputy |
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| Preceded by | Mullah Omar |
| Succeeded by | Hibatullah Akhundzada |
| First Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | |
| In office 24 March 2010 – 29 July 2015 |
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| Leader | Mullah Omar |
| Preceded by | Abdul Ghani Baradar |
| Succeeded by | Hibatullah Akhundzada |
| Second Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | |
| In office 2007 – 24 March 2010 |
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| Leader | Mullah Omar |
| Preceded by | Obaidullah Akhund |
| Succeeded by | Sirajuddin Haqqani (2015) |
| Member of the Leadership Council of Afghanistan | |
| In office May 2002 – 2007 |
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| Civil Aviation Minister of Afghanistan | |
| In office September 1996 – December 2001 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1960s Maiwand District, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan |
| Died | 21 May 2016 Ahmad Wal, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| Cause of death | Drone strike |
| Resting place | Afghanistan |
| Alma mater | Darul Uloom Haqqania |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
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| Years of service | 1985–1992 1995–2016 |
| Rank | Supreme commander |
| Battles/wars | Soviet–Afghan War Afghan Civil War War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) |
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mansour was born in the 1960s in Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan. The Taliban stated he was born in 1968. He received his early education at a village mosque and started primary school around age seven. Later, he studied at different religious schools, known as madrassas, including Darul Uloom Haqqania in Peshawar, Pakistan.
A Pakistani passport found near his car after the drone attack was believed to belong to Mansour. It was in the name of "Wali Muhammad."
Fighting the Soviets
Around 1985, Mansour joined the fight against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This fight was known as a jihad, meaning a holy struggle. He fought alongside groups like the Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi group. During this time, Mullah Omar, who would later found the Taliban, was also a commander in a similar group. Mansour was injured during these battles in 1987. After the war, he continued his religious studies in Pakistan.
Role in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
After the Taliban took control of Kandahar airport, Mansour was put in charge of its security. When the Taliban captured Kabul in 1996, he became the director of Ariana Afghan Airlines, the national airline. He was also appointed as the Minister of Aviation and Tourism. In this role, he oversaw the air force and air-defense systems. He helped organize flights for Muslims to travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage.
In 1997, Mansour was captured by an Uzbek warlord during a Taliban attempt to take the city of Mazar-e-Sharif. He was held as a prisoner of war for two months until Mullah Omar arranged for his release in a prisoner exchange.
After the Taliban government fell in 2001, Mansour briefly surrendered to Afghan President Hamid Karzai. He was forgiven and returned home. However, American forces continued to pursue him, believing he was still involved in fighting. He then fled to Pakistan and helped rebuild the Taliban as a rebel group. He later served as the "shadow governor" of Kandahar for the Taliban.
Taliban Leadership and Insurgency
Mansour became an important figure in the Taliban's leadership council, known as the Quetta Shura. This council made political and military decisions. He was appointed as a deputy to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in 2007. Some reports say he was the second most senior member of the Taliban after Mullah Omar by 2010.
In 2011, the United Nations placed sanctions on Mansour. This meant his assets were frozen, he was banned from traveling, and he was subject to an arms embargo.
In 2015, Mansour wrote a letter to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS. He expressed concern that ISIS's activities could harm the Taliban's efforts in Afghanistan. He asked al-Baghdadi to show "goodwill" to the Taliban and not interfere in their affairs.
Becoming Leader of the Taliban
Akhtar Mansour was chosen as the new leader of the Taliban on July 29, 2015. This happened after the death of the group's founder, Mullah Omar, was announced.
However, some members of the Taliban disagreed with Mansour's selection. They felt that not all Taliban members were involved in the decision. Some senior commanders wanted Omar's eldest son, Mohammad Yaqoob, to be the new leader instead. Despite this, Mansour took on the role. He appointed Sirajuddin Haqqani as one of his deputies.
In August 2015, Mansour sent a group to meet with officials from the Afghan government. This was seen as a positive step towards peace talks. However, a later report in September 2015 suggested that Mansour was not willing to negotiate for peace.
Mansour referred to his leadership role as Commander of the faithful. He was seen as leading a fight focused only within Afghanistan. He also stated that modern education was a "necessity."
Death
On May 21, 2016, Mansour was killed in a U.S. military drone strike in Pakistan. He was traveling in a car near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border when it was hit by two missiles. Mansour had reportedly been in Iran to visit family and seek medical treatment before crossing back into Pakistan. He was using fake identity documents under the name "Muhammad Wali."
The day after the strike, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the United States had targeted Mansour and that he was likely killed. Kerry said Mansour "posed a continuing, imminent threat" to U.S. personnel and Afghans. U.S. President Barack Obama later confirmed Mansour's death, stating that he had approved the airstrike. Both the Afghan government and members of the Taliban also confirmed his death.
Mansour was succeeded as Taliban leader by Hibatullah Akhundzada.
Timeline
- Born sometime during either 1960, 1963, 1965 or 1968.
- Joined war against Soviet invasion during 1985.
- Injured during battle during 1987.
- Student at Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa 1994–1995.
- Made director of Ariana Afghan Airlines during 1996.
- Appointed Minister of Civil Aviation (including both domestic and military flights), Transportation, Tourism during 1996.
- Captured as a prisoner of war during 1997.
- Listed for sanctioning by the United Nations as of January 25, 2001.
- Made "shadow Governor" of Kandahar by the Taliban as of May 2007.
- Appointed to the Quetta Shura sometime during 2007.
- Became Deputy to Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the Taliban Supreme Council as of 2009.
- Public statement as leader of Taliban as of July 30, 2015.
See also
In Spanish: Akhtar Mohamed Mansur para niños
- Caliphs
- Kunduz
- Mohammad Rabbani
- Sahib
- Sharia law
Images for kids
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Mansour as seen in a photo taken in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1998
