Taliban Refugee Minister Khalil Haqqani Killed in Kabul

Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban's Minister for Refugees, was killed in a suicide bombing at the ministry's offices in Kabul on Wednesday. The attack marks one of the highest-profile casualties since the Taliban regained power in 2021, with no immediate claims of responsibility. Haqqani was a prominent figure within the notorious Haqqani network, which has been responsible for numerous violent attacks in Afghanistan. His death follows a trend of increasing violence against Taliban officials, despite a general decline in conflict since the U.S. withdrawal. The Islamic State's regional affiliate, known as Islamic State Khorasan, remains active in targeting both civilians and Taliban members. This event underscores the ongoing instability in Afghanistan, even under Taliban rule.