Afghanistan

Gitmo returnee’s career takes off

A high ranking Taliban Commander, and he was before his capture, has been released from Guantanamo Bay:

The Taleban have confirmed that a former Guantanamo detainee has become their senior military commander in southern Afghanistan.

Taleban sources told the BBC that Mullah Abdullah Zakir had led the fight against British forces stationed in Helmand province.

They say he now leads the insurgency in that province and across the south.

Mullah Abdullah was held in Guantanamo until December 2007. He was then handed over to the Afghans and later released.

Last month, UK government officials told the BBC he was now closely involved in planning attacks on British and other Nato forces in Afghanistan.

The officials said Mullah Abdullah was operating with impunity from the Pakistani city of Quetta.

The BBC’s Martin Patience in Kabul says senior Taleban officials say Mullah Abdullah Zakir’s release after six years is a huge success for the movement.

The Long War Journal has more information on him.