Mohammed Omar facts for kids

Mullah Mohammed Omar (born around 1959 – died 23 April 2013) was an important leader in Afghanistan. He was often known as 'Mullah Omar'. From 1996 to 2001, he was the actual head of state in Afghanistan. Only three countries officially recognized his title, 'Head of the Supreme Council'. He was born in Nodeh, a place near Kandahar. He also held the title Commander of the Faithful from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The United States wanted to find him. They believed he helped Osama bin Laden and some members of his al-Qaeda group. This was right before and after the September 11 attacks. Many thought he was guiding the Taliban in their fight against Hamid Karzai's government and foreign NATO soldiers in Afghanistan. This direction was believed to come from Pakistan.

Who Was Mohammed Omar?

Despite his high political position, not much was known about Omar. There are very few pictures of him. None of these photos were official. A picture used by news groups in 2002 actually showed a different Taliban official, not Omar. It is also unclear how accurate the existing images really are.

Omar was believed to have lost one eye. People who met him described him differently. Some said he was tall, while others described him as small and weak. He was also described as shy and quiet when meeting people from other countries.

Omar's Leadership Style

When he was the leader of Afghanistan, Omar mostly stayed in Kandahar. He rarely met with people from outside. Instead, he often sent his Foreign Minister, Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil, to represent him.

News organizations sometimes reported that he was killed. For example, some claimed he died in a drone attack in 2008.

In 2012, it was shared that someone claiming to be Omar sent a letter to President Barack Obama in 2011. This letter showed some interest in starting peace talks.

When Did Mohammed Omar Die?

On 29 July 2015, the government of Afghanistan and its intelligence agencies announced that Omar had died. They said he passed away in April 2013, two years earlier, in Karachi, Pakistan. They stated the cause was tuberculosis.

However, some Taliban sources denied that he had died. Other sources thought this report was just a guess. They believed it was meant to cause problems for peace talks happening in Pakistan. These talks were between the Afghan government and the Taliban. A spokesman for the Taliban said they would release their own statement. Abdul Hassib Seddiqi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security, confirmed: "We officially confirm that he is dead."